FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF’s DESK…
Bangladesh has over the years taken its rightful place in the global
garment manufacturing business and the most encouraging part is
that it has evolved with time to satisfy all buyers’ needs. A country
that was once known as a hot-spot for ‘cheap’ basic products, is
now admired as a compliant labour-friendly manufacturing base
providing good quality products to the world’s top brands.
Like every year, there were many events to recall and reassess
the progress of Bangladesh factories four years after the Rana
Plaza tragedy that killed 1,100 people in 2013… Though the
debate continues with all stakeholders making claims and counter
claims…, but for me the most important indicator of change is the
proactive attitude of the manufacturers.
Their willingness to invest in change, to discuss problems on
public platforms and implement even the most stringent norms to
remain preferred suppliers, is worthy of praise. I always say that
while an incident of such magnitude like the Rana Plaza could
have ‘killed’ many other manufacturing hubs, but the way the
industry stood up for the cause and made sure that everyone who
matters – from buyers to policy makers – take notice.
How many times have we heard Marcia Bernicat, who became the
US Ambassador to Bangladesh in February 2015, speak openly
in support of the industry and encourage buyers to support the
factories for the sake of workers and business in general.
There is evidence on record that working conditions for garment
workers in Bangladesh have greatly improved since the collapse;
some 1,600 safety and fire control deficiencies have been identified
and rectified.
But what is most interesting is that the industry is not thinking of
now…, they are planning for the future. The bigger factories have
moved far beyond basic compliances and are investing in Green
factories, labour incentives and training to ensure that the buyer
is not just satisfied but genuinely happy to work with them.
Not only the garment factories, even accessory manufacturers
are following the benchmarks set on compliance and today the
accessory segment is keeping pace with the garmenting segment,
to become partners in growth!
8 Apparel Online Bangladesh | MAY 2017 | www.apparelresources.com
EDITORIAL TEAM
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Deepak Mohindra
EDITOR Ila Saxena
DEPUTY EDITOR Deepankar Shyam
COPY EDITOR Veereshwar Sobti
ASST. COPY EDITOR Sahil Sehgal
CREATIVE TEAM
Raj Kumar Chahal
Peeush Jauhari
Satyapal Bisht
Deepak Panwar
PHOTO EDITOR Himanshu Kumar
OPERATION DIRECTOR Mayank Mohindra
PUBLISHER &
MANAGING DIRECTOR Renu Mohindra
HEAD OFFICE
Apparel Resources Private Limited
B-32, South Extension-1, New Delhi-110 049 (India)
Phone: 91-11-47390000,
E-mail: [email protected]
Web associate: www.apparelresources.com
SUBSCRIPTION RATE
Yes, I wish to subscribe to
Apparel Online
Taka 2400.00
12 issues
*This rate is valid only for subscription in Bangladesh
International subscription (in Dollar) -
Credit Card using www.apparelresources.com
Telegraphic transfer to Bank Account No. 03192320003806
(Swi