Institute of Apparel Research & Technology (iART) was established by Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA) by the beginning of 2007 to carter the research and training need of the apparel and textile sector. Since its inception, iART is supporting the entire apparel industry especially the knitwear sector. Before establishing BKMEA preformed a survey, whereas the feasibility study was conducted with support from SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility (SEDF). iART came into force on February 2007 & made its first publication on EU Safeguard Measures unwrapped on August 2007. German International Corporation (GIZ) is supporting iART’s activities since the beginning.

The research area of iART is mainly concentrated on the international trade and trade policy issues related to the textiles and clothing industry, market analysis and researching for new markets for the knit products of Bangladesh, assessing the needs of the sector and putting way forward to meet the needs etc. iART also intends to look into the technological developments taking place in all over the world and will update the industry by disseminating these latest developments.

iART expands its activities further by providing training and educational support to the industry to create skilled manpower of different levels required in the sector. It also acts as a supportive catalyst for the government, trade bodies and the industry in developing policy and strategy for the continuous betterment and health growth of the apparel and textile industry in Bangladesh.

Main Objectives:

• Conduct Research on national & international apparel, textile & policy related issues

• Policy support to the government

• Information gathering & dissemination through seminars, research & market related publications

• Promote the potentiality of the sector

• Provide support for market promotion & development

• Provide support to BKMEA to development projects

• Act as a hub for planning and formulation of development related activities of BKMEA

In an attempt to strengthen, expand and search for potential markets of the Bangladeshi knitwear products, iART, from its very beginning, is performing various activities. To fulfill its vision iART has been working on by handling various projects, publishing research papers & other policy related publications, arranging various national & international seminars etc. These huge & important activities can be concluded under three broad categories:

1. Research & Development
2. Policy support
3. Project handling and others

• National & International Seminars:

“Impact of EU Safeguard Removal from China” at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on August 2007:

“Comprehensive Effluent Management for Knit Dyeing Industry in Bangladesh” at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on December 2007.

“New Dimension in World Apparel Sourcing: Opportunities & Challenges” at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on October 2008.

“Bangladesh Knitwear Industry: Recession and Beyond - Challenges & Strategies” at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on November 2009.

• PREPARED PAPERS FOR INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE & SEMINARS:

• Scoping mission to different countries like Japan, South Africa & Hong Kong
• International correspondents & development related to market promotion
• Knitwear Expositio

1. Organization
2. Publications related to exposition &
3. Related seminars

• Government of Bangladesh: Extensive support to GOB in National Policies like Budget, Acts & Laws like Apparel Board law, Competition act etc
• GSP, Rules of Origin Issues
• Compliance related petition in USTR
• Bilateral & multilateral trade related issues with India, China, SAARC countries, EU, USA, Japan and others
• WTO, SAFTA and on many other fields

German International Cooperation (GIZ): Trade Promotion (2009-2011)

• Scoping missions to different countries like Japan, South Africa, Hong Kong etc
• International correspondents & development related to market promotion
• Research Components like research publications, seminars

• BQSP (Completed: BKMEA did not receive any technical assistance but included in few activities)
• BEST (2010-2015): BKMEA will receive technical assistance of about EURO 0.67 million.
• Rangpur Training Center (March 2008): From project formulation, negotiation with donors, management and others completely handled by iART. After starting and running it successfully, responsibility slowly handover to other departments on September 2009.
• Project Proposal submitted & detailed work done: SWITCH-ASIA (EURO 2 million), IFC-BICF, The World Bank, ADB and others

• Impact of Removing EU Safeguard Measure against China on the Knitwear Export of Bangladesh and Other LDCs after 2007
• A Brief on the Polish Knitwear Market published on 2008
• A Brief on the Japanese Knitwear Market published on 2008
• A Brief on the Australian Knitwear Market published on 2008
• A Brief on the German Knitwear Market published on 2008
• Annual Statistical Release of Bangladesh Apparel published on 2008
• Going to a Trade Fair - Guide for Exhibitors published on 2007
• Brief on USA Knitwear Market published on 2007
• A Brief on Canadian Knitwear Market published on 2007
• A New Look to the Japanese Apparel Market (going to be published on 2010)
• A guide to important laws & regulations related to apparel (Upcoming)
• New Dimension of World Apparel Sourcing (Upcoming)
• “Value Chain Study of Selected Export Oriented Knitwear Products of Bangladesh” in cooperation with German International Cooperation (GIZ), January 2008. Prepared for GIZ (not published).
• BKMEA Brochure, Rangpur Brochure, Knit Communique (English News letter of BKMEA) and few others

ULTIMATE VISION:

• Support Bangladesh to be number one apparel exporters in the world
• Provide world class technical and research support and guideline
• Develop as a self sustain top class institute which will undertake post graduate, graduate and other courses
• Be a nationally and internationally recognized and accepted voice in the related field