The BGMEA President recently met with various customers and stakeholders in the USA to promote the Bangladesh Apparel Manufacturing sector. Here is a look at some of those key meetings as Bangladesh looks to strengthen its partnership with USA based customers.
Discussion on Fair Cotton Prices with ICAC
BGMEA President Faruque Hasan met with Kai Hughes, the Executive Director of the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) in Washington D.C. on September 20. He was joined by the Vice President of BGMEA Miran Ali.
Amongst many topics, discussions on predictability of current cotton prices and the factors affecting the price was discussed. They also spoke about extending the great collaboration between BGMEA and ICAC in a number of areas including transparency and traceability in the supply chain.
BGMEA president emphasizes on ensuring fair cotton price as it is a very important raw material for the apparel industry in Bangladesh as more than 70 percent of garments made in the country are produced from Cotton.
BGMEA President urges NRBs to contribute more to development
BGMEA President Faruque Hasan urged expatriates living in the USA to contribute more to the development of Bangladesh.
He made the call while addressing a conference titled ‘New World New Hope: United Nations and Bangladesh’ organized by the Centre for Non Resident Bangladeshi in New York on 23 September, on the sideline of the 76th General Assembly of the United Nations.
The event focused on challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh with finding possible avenues to achieve the goal of a more prosperous future. “Your support and contribution will help Bangladesh to realize its untapped potential, especially drawing foreign investment, projecting positive image and protecting interests of the country internationally,” he said.
In his address Faruque Hasan said Bangladeshis living abroad, especially NRBs having influential positions in their countries of residence including the USA can play an important role in promoting the interests of Bangladesh including at policy making levels.
He also urged the Bangladeshi Community in the USA to give preference to garments “made in Bangladesh” during their shopping and also present them as gifts to their foreign friends as it will not only pave the way for Bangladesh to increase its apparel export to the US market but also contribute promote “Made in Bangladesh” brand amongst US citizens.
Joint Collaboration with Disney
BGMEA President held a meeting with David Grazi, President, and Albert Daniel, Global Vice President, Sourcing at Dreamwave in New York on September 24. Former President of BGMEA Md. Shamsul Islam, MP and BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib was also present at the meeting.
Since Dreamwave, an apparel brand based in the USA, is a major sourcing partner of Walt Disney, BGMEA proposed a joint collaboration program with Disney to start unconditional sourcing in Bangladesh and build capacity together understanding their specific need in technical, social, compliance, and sustainability.
They had discussions over other issues including potential of Bangladesh as a sourcing country for activewear, outerwear, swimwear, and workwear.
The BGMEA President requested Dreamwave to increase its sourcing from Bangladesh especially garments produced from man-made fibre.
Collaboration with Amerex Group
BGMEA President met with Ira Ganger, President and CEO of Amarex Group in New York on September 24.
Former President of BGMEA Md. Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), MP, BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib and Brian McElwain, Executive Vice President, sourcing purchasing and production of Amerex Group were also present on the occassion.
The BGMEA delegation shared the present situation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry and its strategic priorities especially in the areas of industry innovation, efficiency, and capacity optimization. They also highlighted the industry’s increased focus on diversification of products, especially non-cotton and high-end segment.
A new Centre of Innovation, Efficiency, and Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) is being established at the newly built headquarters of BGMEA in Uttara to enhance competitiveness of the readymade garments industry in Bangladesh. The Centre will strive to extract knowledge about best business practices, most advanced technology, and latest trends of the global fashion industry and inject those ideas into the apparel industry of Bangladesh through trainings, workshops, and stakeholders’ gatherings.
They talked about how BGMEA and Amerex Group could collaborate in upscaling the RMG industry’s capabilities that would complement our strategic priorities including industry innovation.
Meeting with Ralph Lauren
BGMEA President met with Halide Alagöz, Executive Vice President, Chief Supply Chain and Sustainability Officer at Ralph Lauren Corp. in New York on September 29.
The BGMEA President re-iterated that Bangladesh would continue its efforts to remain to be a preferred choice of global apparel brands as a safe, ethical, and sustainable sourcing destination.
Alongside the strides in safety and sustainability, the industry is also increasingly focusing on diversifying its products and building capacities to carter to the demands of global brands and buyers.
The BGMEA President requested Ralph Lauren to support and collaborate with their suppliers in Bangladesh to build their capacities in manufacturing apparel products having higher market demand. Bangladesh is giving importance to up-grading particularly in the areas of skills and efficiency enhancement, technological upgrading, and diversification of products, especially non-cotton.
Ralph Lauren is one of the world’s largest fashion brands and they have started sourcing extensively from Bangladesh in the recent years.
Cooperating with International Media
BGMEA President met with Edward Hertzman, Founder and President of Sourcing Journal in New York on September 21.
The BGMEA delegation appraised the Sourcing Journal Founder of the significant strides made by the Bangladesh Garment Industry in the areas of safety, sustainability, and workers’ welfare.
The President sought cooperation and support from the International Media including the Sourcing Journal in telling the world about the achievements and positive stories of the apparel industry in Bangladesh.
The discussion on how the Sourcing Journal can cooperate with the BGMEA in promoting Bangladesh particularly its RMG industry among global audience.
Edward Hertzman requested the BGMEA to deepen their interaction with the Sourcing Journal in highlighting the positive stories of Bangladesh apparel industry internationally by the publication.
Sourcing Journal is a renowned trade publication for apparel and textile executives focused on sourcing and manufacturing.
