Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine May Issue 2019 | Page 45

BANGLADESH CANVAS
PM’S RENEWED FOCUS
ON RMG SECTOR
Considering that apparel sector is the mainstay of Bangladesh’s
economy, Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina undertakes numerous steps
to keep the growth going
I
view of the fact that the official
data of exports to India, which
is about US $ 300 million, does
not reflect the true volume of
business that is happening in this
segment, as a lot of garments do
not cross the border through a
proper channel. This business
can be channelised properly and
brought into the mainstream,”
explained Munshi on India as an
export destination.
t’s not without a reason that
industrialists and entrepreneurs,
especially those in the business
of garment manufacturing, are all
praise for Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina. It is under her strong
leadership and her pro-industry
policies that the RMG sector of the
country has flourished and developed
into what it is today.
Coming back to power with convincing
majority in the last general election,
the first thing Hasina did was to hand
over the baton of the all-important
commerce portfolio to someone who is
not only an industrialist but a garment
manufacturer and ex-BGMEA chief, to
give a fresh impetus to the industry,
which is raring to touch new heights.
“I am humbled by the confidence
that our honourable Prime Minister
has shown in me by giving me
responsibility of such an important
portfolio. Coming from a business
background my approach is to touch
upon issues that impact business…,”
maintained Commerce Minister
Tipu Munshi speaking exclusively
to Apparel Online in an earlier
interview, adding, “My nearly 50
years of business experience, a
majority of which is in the garment
manufacturing industry, has given
me a very deep understanding of the
potential and challenges that the
industry faces. I am very proud of the
entrepreneurial skills of the people
involved in the business and the way
they have responded to innumerable
challenges. This gives me confidence
that the industry still has the hunger
to grow…”
Hasina’s focus on taking the industry
to the next level has, however, been
not restricted to just selecting Munshi
to head the business and commerce.
Her vision for the industry has been
evidenced in a number of steps
that she has undertaken ever since
coming back to power.
“We have already
held detailed
discussions
with officials
of Bangladesh
missions calling
them in Dhaka and
directed them to find
out which products
have high demand in
which countries.”
– Sheikh Hasina
The most important perhaps is the
renewed thrust towards economic
diplomacy to widen Bangladesh’s
reach in the global arena. As part of
this unique approach, Bangladesh
missions abroad have reportedly
been asked to scout for new markets.
“We have already held detailed
discussions with officials of
Bangladesh missions calling them in
Dhaka and directed them to find out
which products have high demand
in which countries,” stated Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina at an event
in Dhaka recently.
Having identified the potential
markets, Hasina plans to help
the industry diversify its product
offerings. “After that discussion, we
also put emphasis on producing and
exporting those products…,” added
the Prime Minister.
In this direction, Bangladesh has
already identified in its neighbour
India a potential apparel export
destination, and is working to exploit
the opportunities to the fullest.
“I truly believe that India is an
important market for Bangladesh
garment manufacturers… Also,
proximity is very critical. However,
we need to also take a prudent
With non-traditional markets
coming up strongly, Bangladesh
Government has also increased
incentive for RMG export to 4 per
cent from earlier 3 per cent, to
motivate garment makers to go for
the new destinations.
However, it is not only in the market
front that Hasina is concentrating.
Her approach percolates to the
grassroots to ensure that the
workforce, which is at the core of
the industry, is well-looked-after.
Describing various welfare-oriented
steps for the garment workers, the
Prime Minister underlined that
minimum wages have been hiked to
Taka 8,000 from Taka 1,600 in 10
years.
“Besides, the Government has
constructed a number of dormitories
for the female workers and is
providing financial assistance to
them in the case of accidents,” Prime
Minister Hasina underlined, adding,
“We don’t want any obstruction be
made in the trade and commerce…
Our garment industry has already
earned name and fame across the
world. This sector is making huge
contributions to our economy. We’ll
have to sustain the garment industry
as employments for a huge number
of women have been created in the
sector… Its impact has reached
up to the villages, improving the
socio-economic condition of the
rural people.”
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