The "Made in Bangladesh Week 2022" kicked off in the capital on Saturday (Nov 12) in a bid to highlight the readymade garments (RMG) industry of Bangladesh before the global arena. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will formally inaugurate the Week at a function at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) on Sunday morning.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan disclosed the detailed the programmes and events to be held centering the Week at a press conference at a city hotel on Saturday, local media reported.
He said the mega event "Made in Bangladesh Week 2022" started in the morning through a golf tournament at Kurmitola Golf Club.
With the theme "Care for Fashion", Faruque said the week-long event would continue till Nov 18, 2022.
"I believe, considering the significance and idea behind this glamorous event, we can confidently say that we are going to witness such an event related to apparel manufacturing for the first time in history. Bangladesh Apparel Exchange is our official partner for the event," he added.
He said when the BGMEA initially planned about this event, they had specific objectives in mind, which includes branding the RMG industry and moreover branding the overall Bangladesh; and charting out a "Sustainable growth Plan" through identifying major strategic objectives for meeting Vision 2030.
"To showcase the transformation story and strengths of Bangladesh's RMG industry to the world as well as getting the stakeholders onboard in the trajectory to future growth are also main objectives, which inspired us to organize this mega event," he added.
Faruque said after the grand opening tomorrow, a display zone at the Carnival Hall of the BICC titled "Experience the Transformation of RMG Towards Sustainability & Innovation" will be held till 6 p.m.
The PM will also launch two coffee table books. The first book titled "The Untold Stories of Bangladesh RMG Industry: Economic, Social and Environmental Good Practices" aims to highlight the positive changes that have occurred in the industry throughout the years.
The second book is titled "Beauty of Bangladesh". Apart from these two books, the BGMEA will launch two other coffee table books after the events, named "Heritage of Bangladesh" and another will be prepared by compiling all the exquisite pictures received in MIB photography award.
Answering to a question, Faruque said that they are now working with the government to overcome the challenges of energy and power that the country is now facing. "Hopefully the problems will be resolved," he added.
The BGMEA president noted that the entrepreneurs would have to come forward to overcome such challenges in the wake of global situation.
He said if the industry owners could generate power at their own arrangement, then power and energy situation could be addressed largely.
Replying to another question, Faruque said that the entrepreneurs often reduce the RMG price in order to keep up the buying orders. He said whenever the buying orders start to decline, then the entrepreneurs reduce the price of RMG items.
"Such practice should not continue to keep up the existence of ours. Only reducing prices won't work," he added.
Faruque said since a good number of foreign companies are being associated with this mega event, there will be more foreign buyers in the event which will also witnesses the flow of inbound US dollars, Euros and Pounds. "Hopefully, the foreign currency reserve will be boosted further."
After the inaugural program, the board meeting of the International Apparel Federation (IAF) is scheduled to be held at 2.30 PM, which will be followed by IAF general assembly at Radisson Blu.
On the following day on Nov 14, 2022, the three-day long Dhaka Apparel Expo will be inaugurated at Hall 3 of International Convention City of Bashundhara (ICCB).
Starting from Nov 14, the expo will remain open till Nov 16, 2022 and through this platform, apparel, textiles, and other related products will be showcased under one roof. The Expo will bring opportunities for the global buyers and their representatives to see the varied categories of Made-in-Bangladesh garments.
The 37th World Fashion Convention, which is being organized in collaboration with BGMEA, BKMEA and International Apparel Federation (IAF) will also commence on Nov 14, 2022 at the Radisson Blue. The convention will be open to registered participants.
One of the special events of this "Made in Bangladesh Week 2022" is the Green Factory tour, which will be held for three days from Nov 15 to Nov 17, 2022.
On Nov 15, 2022 - the third edition of "Dhaka Apparel Summit" will be inaugurated.
On Nov 17, 2022, the BGMEA will host the "The Sustainability Leadership Award" in association with GIZ at Hall 2 of International Convention City of Bashundhara.
