BGMEA DAILY DIGEST
News published in media related to RMG: Today’s RMG News

The Financial Express
Push for concerted efforts for transition to circular economy Circular economy presents a clear pathway toward achieving greater environmental sustainability while fostering economic growth, said President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan on Tuesday, reports UNB. He said, "The readymade garment industry has historically followed a linear business model. However, it is evident that this trajectory needs to change if we are to ensure sustainability." "In Bangladesh, we have an opportunity to lead this change, to become not just an industry but a nation committed to circular practices," he added. Faruque Hassan made the observations while delivering his speech as guest of honour at the SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE) Project inception seminar organised by UNIDO and the Ministry of Commerce in Dhaka. Textiles and Jute Minister Golam Dastagir Gazi was present at the event as chief guest. Senior Secretary of Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh and Dr Bernd Spanier, Chargé d'Affaires, EU Delegation to Bangladesh, were present as special guests.

The Daily Star
Garment makers reducing reliance on imported fabrics The import of woven fabrics declined by 25.97 percent in the first seven months of this calendar year, compared to the same period last year, as garment makers have brought down their reliance on imported products because of an increase in local production. "We are reducing dependence on imported fabrics," said Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). Many composite mills can supply garments even with 30 days of lead time as they have raw materials on hand. But such cases are rare, he added.

The Business Standard
Bangladesh aspires to become textile waste recycling hub: BGMEA president Bangladeshi ready-made garment makers plan to develop the country as a "global recycling hub" as it is the world's second largest apparel exporter and one of the biggest garment and textile waste producers. "We aspire to establish ourselves as a global recycling hub and further contribute to our economy while positively impacting our climate," said Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at the inauguration of the "SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chains (SWITCH2CE)" programme in Dhaka on Tuesday.Industry leaders, government representatives, academia, and international partners attended the programme organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Bangladesh ministry of commerce. Textile and Jute minister Golam Dastagir Gazi was the chief guest at the event.

The Business Post
Exporters blame customs harassment for impeding trade Addressing the allegations of customs harassment, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, “Bangladesh is losing business opportunities worth billions of USD annually due to the customs harassment. “Fashion business is fast, and we have to deliver the goods on schedule. But if the customs takes up to 45 days from our already tight lead time, how will we export the goods properly? The government is losing crores of taka annually as the customs officials are taking bribes instead of fining rule violators.”BGMEA First Vice-President Syed Nazrul Islam, who is also in-charge of looking at customs harassment issues, said, “Some exporters missed vessel departure times recently because of customs harassment and delay in clearance. “They have a habit of seizing goods from export-oriented businesses, because deadlines are a major factor for such industries. They have rights to check any items, but the question is how long this process should take? The authorities concerned should look into the matter.”

The Dhaka Tribune
The Case for Bangladesh’s Just Transition In a recent series of roundtable discussions, experts gathered to shed light on Bangladesh's efforts to tackle climate change and promote a “Just Transition". Shehrin Salam Oishee, dean of the Faculty of Textile Chemical Engineering and director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), highlighted the crucial role of recycling in diminishing the sector's ecological footprint. She underscored that the present reliance on nature—accounting for 60% of resources—necessitates a paradigm shift towards enhanced recycling and renewable energy adoption.

Textile Focus
Bangladesh RMG needs more focus on sustainability, product diversification, and market to survive in the global business crisis – Speakers on IBF seminar series Intex South Asia, one of the biggest international textiles sourcing shows for fibers, yarns, fabrics, trims, and more for the apparel industry was held from 22-24 June 2023, at the International Convention City Bashundhara, Dhaka. At present Intex Bangladesh is firmly established as the premier international textile sourcing show in South Asia. This time the organizer organized International Business Forum (IBF) which was managed by Textile Focus, the leading textile magazine from Bangladesh.

বণিক বার্তা
বিজিএমইএ ও সার্কেল ইকোনমির মধ্যে এমওইউ বাংলাদেশ পোশাক প্রস্তুতকারক ও রফতানিকারক সমিতি (বিজিএমইএ) এবং সার্কেল ইকোনমির মধ্যে সম্প্রতি একটি সমঝোতা স্মারক (এমওইউ) স্বাক্ষরিত হয়েছে। বাংলাদেশের পোশাক ও টেক্সটাইল শিল্পকে সার্কুলার ইকোনমিতে রূপান্তর ত্বরান্বিত করতে একসঙ্গে কাজ করাই এ চুক্তির লক্ষ্য। ঢাকার একটি হোটেলে বিজিএমইএ সভাপতি ফারুক হাসান এবং সার্কেল ইকোনমির গ্লোবাল ভ্যালু চেইন প্রধান হিল্ড ভ্যান ডুইজন এমওইউটি স্বাক্ষর করেন।

Textile Focus
UNIDO inaugurates Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains project with a series of events with government and private sector partners On September 5, an inception ceremony, jointly organized by UNIDO and the Ministry of Commerce of Bangladesh, convened industry leaders, government representatives, academia, and international partners. Mr. Golam Dastagir Gazi, Ministry of Textile and Jute, in his official address shared “The SWITCH to Circular Economy Value Chains project’s outcomes will enable the circular economy transition of textile industry in Bangladesh by creating significant trade and social impacts for the country. It will support our country’s development journey by 2041. Mr. Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA stated that BGMEA has realigned its priorities to continuously deliver better solutions. “We have recently introduced a new corporate logo representing nine commitments, with “Circularity” being one of them. Our goal is to conserve the natural eco-system through an economic shift from a linear to a circular system. This is not just a vision; it’s a commitment to drive change.”

সমকাল
সবুজ কারখানা শেয়ারবাজারে আনতে চায় ডিএসই পরিবেশবান্ধব গ্রিন ফ্যাক্টরি বা সবুজ কারখানাগুলোকে শেয়ারবাজারে তালিকাভুক্ত করার পরিকল্পনা নিয়ে কাজ করছে দেশের প্রধান শেয়ারবাজার ঢাকা স্টক এক্সচেঞ্জ (ডিএসই)। বর্তমানে দেশের সিংহভাগ গ্রিন ফ্যাক্টরি রপ্তানিমুখী তৈরি পোশাক শিল্পের হওয়ায় এ খাতের উদ্যোক্তাদের সংগঠন বিজিএমইর সঙ্গে একটি সমঝোতা চুক্তি করতে যাচ্ছে স্টক এক্সচেঞ্জটি।

The Business Standard
WHP Global to acquire global denim brand G-Star RAW The WHP Global will acquire a majority interest in the G-Star RAW brand for further growth and expansion in the apparel industry. The  global brand management firm on Tuesday (5 September) announced an agreement with the G-Star RAW stating that the existing G-Star shareholders, including Founder Jos van Tilburg, will retain a stake in the brand, said a press release.