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APPAREL-DISCUSSION-HAGUE
Strengthening Bangladesh position in EU apparel sector stressed
DHAKA, Oct 24, 2018 (BSS) – Speakers at a discussion of Bangladesh Embassy in The Hague said Bangladesh should put emphasis on technological advancements, international competition, knowledge and innovations to remain engaged with and strengthen its footprints in apparel sector of the European market.
They said Bangladesh needs due support and assistance for the sustainability of the apparel sector, said a press release here today.
Embassy of Bangladesh, The Hague organized the discussion on “Sustainability, Transparency and Transformation of Apparel Industry of Bangladesh” on Monday.
Over 40 participants from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, CBI (the Centre for the promotion of imports from Developing Countries), MODINT (Dutch business network of manufacturers, importers, agents and wholesalers in clothing and fashion accessories), International Apparel Federation, fashion houses and apparel industries were present.
Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, Sheikh Mohammed Belal delivered the welcome address while Mostafiz Uddin, Managing Director of Denim Expert Limited of Bangladesh made a key note presentation on “Sustainability, Transparency and Transformation of Apparel Industry of Bangladesh”.
The objective of organizing the session was to promote progress achieved in the apparel industry of Bangladesh and how this sector is bringing qualitative changes in the lives and living of 4.4 million workers of RMG sector of Bangladesh.
In his address, Belal thanked the Dutch buyers and fashion houses for their continued support for flourishment of our apparel sector and sought their cooperation for further improvement of the sector.
The ambassador said effective partnership with the Dutch as well as European buyers would facilitate the apparel sector of Bangladesh to cope with the challenges in a smarter way.
Referring to the Rana Plaza incident, he recalled the contribution of former Dutch Minister Lilianne Ploumen to make the Dutch buyers supportive to resolve the issue and continue their business with Bangladesh.
Ambassador Belal appreciated the constructive and innovative role of MODINT and hoped that they would help BGMEA for capacity building through academic collaboration with Dutch universities and institutions and for technology transfer and introducing future oriented new concepts like-blockchain, automation.
The government of Bangladesh has given much impetus for sustained development of this industry, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, Mostafiz Uddin said Bangladesh is the country of safest apparel industry in the world in terms of worker’s safety, sustainability, working environment and transparency.
Mostafiz informed the participants about what he called “price paradox” where Bangladesh has increased wages by 263 percent over the last 9 years while the RMG industries in Bangladesh has received lower price to the extent of 6.63pc and 7.33pc from USA and Europe respectively.
He also suggested that without meaningful reform of this “price paradox”, sustainability will be at stake.
BSS/PR/MKD/KU/1911 HRS