The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

There is no alternative to increasing efficiency to protect the garment sectors of the country, said speakers at a seminar in the city yesterday.

Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) organised the seminar on "Global Recession and its Impact on RMG" and "Changing Time and Changing Focus in Garment Trade" at Hotel Sonargaon.

Mamun Rashid, managing director of City Bank and Md Akbar Hassan, CEO and managing director of Briddhi-Industrial & Marketing Consultants, presented key-note papers separately, while Prof Abu Ahmed of the Department of Economics, Dhaka University, Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed, president of Bangladesh Economic Association and Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of BGMEA, were the panelists in the programme.

The panelists said it is possible to enhance our GDP more than 7 per cent, if we want the existing market of garment sector to grow.

BGMEA president pointed out that we had huge lacking in the management of the garment sector. Quoting the management system of other developed countries, he said scientific management system is needed to run an institution, which is competitive like the garment industry.

Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmed blamed the Bush administration for the current recession across the world.

Garment sectors should develop backward linkage, if necessary taking money from stock market, to survive in this competitive global market, said Prof Abu Ahmed.