The readymade garment exporters are going to hold a three-day apparel summit in Dhaka in December 7–9 to find ways to increase export earnings to $50 billion by 2021, coinciding the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. ‘The first-ever apparel summit, which will replace the traditional trade exposition BATEXPO, will be helpful to dig out the challenges for the sustainable development and inclusive growth of the economy,’ said BGMEA president Md Atiqul Islam at a pre-summit news conference at the association office in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association will organise the summit titled ‘Bangladesh RMG 2021: $50 Billion on 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh,’ at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital, Atiq said.
Bangladesh is contributing 5 per cent share of total $450 billion global apparel demand, which will be $650 billion by 2021, he said.
‘To reach the $50 billion export earnings target from readymade garments we will have to increase the global market share only by 3 per cent and it is achievable,’ Atiq said.
The summit will feature a number of panel sessions over three days participated by representatives of the governments of home and partner countries, private sectors, international organisations, employers, workers’ representatives, civil society organisations, brand representatives, academics and media.
The summit will discuss the present business and investment trend, global sourcing dynamics and potentials for Bangladesh, priority issues to support the growth potentials, compliance issues, prudent commercial diplomacy and political stability, supportive policies and coordination between different government agencies, product and market diversification, according to the organisers.
Two more events titled ‘Bangladesh Building and Fire Safety Expo, 2014’ and ‘Best Factory Award, 2014’ will also be held on the sidelines of the summit.
A good number of international firms on fire and electrical safety and experts will attend the expo and 92 stalls will showcase world standard safety related equipments, Atiq said.
The entrepreneurs will be benefited from the summit enriching their knowledge about latest apparel technologies and it will also help domestic apparel makers build a bridge with the global buyers and experts, he said.
Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to inaugurate the three-day event at 10:30am on December 7.
The BGMEA leaders said the summit was initiated with the objective of opening and furthering such dialogue to frame a sustainable roadmap on building responsible supply chains in the textile and garment sector.
BGMEA vice-presidents SM Mannan Kochi, Shahidullah Azim and Reaz-bin-Mahmood, and former vice-president Siddiqur Rahman attended the press conference.
-With New Age input
