With BKMEA’s continuous effort we have being able to start the diversification process of our export basket beside the EU and the USA market. Now we have set our eyes beyond these twos and began the diversification into Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, South Africa, Russia, Turkey, India and other countries. Japan became very positive for us. The China Plus One policy of Japan and at the same time BKMEA’s strong marketing opens new door for us. Many Japanese buyers and investors are visiting Bangladesh for their changing sourcing decision. UNIQLO, Marubeni Corporation, Chori Ltd, and many others are already opened their office here and started sourcing. Marubeni Corporation declared to source about US$ 100 million from Bangladesh in 2010. Shimamura Corporation, the second largest retail chain in Japan, showed very good interest in the sector. Intersports Inc, the largest sportswear seller in the world already started sourcing from us. Intersports Inc has about 5500 retail shops in the EU and their yearly turnover is more than US$ 8 billion a year. It is indeed good news for Bangladesh and they are knocking our door due to our continuous development, good reputation in the world market and better quality products.
The current achievement is a result of long term entrepreneurial experience, continuous efforts for development, good quality of labor force, continuous efforts to improve quality, compliance consciousness, better technology, research and others. BKMEA mainly works to improve the above qualities focusing the initiatives on market and sectoral development, social compliance, productivity improvement, human resource development and health care. In lieu of those, BKMEA started “Social Compliance Monitoring Program” to ensure better compliance in the factory level. Development of the factory working environment, adaptation with the national and international compliance laws and awareness rising among the owners and the workers are few of the main duties of the department. The team having close connection with the board members, effectively monitors and guides them.
BKMEA believes that without the development or welfare of the workers, it is not possible for the sector to reach the ultimate goal of achieving the number one position in the world. Develop owner-worker relation, ensure better working environment and workers’ welfare are also commitments of the current board. We are eager to take new initiatives for the workers welfare through various activities like Child Day Care Center, Health Care Center for health facilities for the workers, training center for skill development of the existing and fresh workers. We have started a Child Day Care Center at BSCIC, Narayanganj from August 2010 for the new born babies of the female workers of the sector. A Health Care Center at Narayanganj is taking care of the health issues of the workers of the region. We have training center at Rangpur where every year about 1200 workers are getting training at different level free of cost. We also provide them food, accommodation and minimum health care facility during their stay at the center. We also look after the factory workers’ interest through the Labor Cell. We have also established a Fire Safety Cell to provide fire related training at the factory premises. Food rationing, annual workers’ festival, scholarship program, mandatory group insurance, observance of historic ‘May Day’ and special news letter for workers are more pioneering initiatives of BKMEA to expand hand towards the workers of this sector.
Institute of Apparel Research & Technology (iART) is a unique initiative of BKMEA to serve the research and development needs of the apparel and textile industry. BKMEA provides research support to the industry in trade policies related issues, market research and other development related issues. To enhance the productivity of this sector, BKMEA is implementing ‘Lean Manufacturing Technique’ in the member factories. Throughout this modern approach, a factory can increase its productivity up to 15% to 30%.
BKMEA extensively works market promotion activities through single country fairs and taking part international fairs in different countries. With the continuation of the effort, BKMEA arranged single country fairs at Germany, Canada and the USA. We keep continuous communication with other government and international bodies. As a result of this, BKMEA becomes a board member of the International Apparel Federation (IAF), regularly joins Prime Source Forum, Hong Kong and other international activities. This type of efforts helps us to develop our image over the boundaries.
We work closely with the government of Bangladesh in various development and welfare related issues. With close cooperation with the government, it is not possible for us to reach our ultimate goal. We need more cooperation from the government and believe the followings are very necessary to become more competitive and increase export growth:
- 5% cash incentive on FOB value to facilitate the exporters
- Flexible regulations related with apparel trade
- Improve gas and power condition and ensure continuous supply
- Reduce bank interest rate below 9% for the export sector
- Establish fashion and design institute for the apparel sector in the form of public university
Besides government of Bangladesh, BKMEA would like to appreciate the contribution and engagement of our largest development partner German Technical Cooperation (GTZ). We are receiving continuous support from GTZ in the field of research, productivity improvement, social compliance, training and other areas. BKMEA also appreciates works with UNIDO, IOM, WHO, SEDF, the World Bank, IFC-BICF, ADB and other donor organization.
To become the number one knitwear exporter in the world and ensure compliant knitwear industry is our ultimate vision. We believe, with the continuous support from the owners, workers, government, non government bodies, donors and all others, we will be able to reach our ultimate objective.
A.K.M. Salim Osman
President
BKMEA
