RMG playing vital role in socio-economic dev: Industries Minister

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu has said the ready-made garments (RMG) sector is playing an important role in socio-economic progress of Bangladesh.

"In particular, in the case of women empowerment, RMG is one of the driving forces. Currently, over 44 million workers are working in garment factories across the country.

Of the total manpower of the RMG sector, 80 percent are women," he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at an inaugural ceremony of the "18th Textech Bangladesh International Expo 2017" with concurrent exhibitions "12th Dhaka International Yarn and Fabric Show 2017" and "28th Dye+Chem Bangladesh Expo 2017" at the International Convention City, Bashundhara (ICCB)  in the capital on Wednesday, reports BSS.

CEMS-Global USA and CEMS Bangladesh jointly organised the four-day exhibitions to help the garment industries to reach the target of US$50 billion from the export of RMG by 2021.

Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President M Siddiqur Rahman were present, among others, at the inaugural function.

Terming the RMG as a vital industrial sector of Bangladesh, Amu said, this sector has immensely contributed to export earnings, employment generation, value addition and improved quality of life of the people.

"Bangladesh is the second largest apparel exporting country in the world, which contributes approximately 80 percent to our total export earnings," he added.

Despite the negative campaign of a vested quarter abroad, the minister said, the country's ready-made garment industry has a positive growth trend.

"In the fiscal year 2015-2016, Bangladesh earned more than $28 billion from RMG sector. In 2014-15, the export amount was $24.49 billion and in 2013-14, the amount was $21.51 billion," he added.

He mentioned that the government is working on capacity building and improving competitiveness of the RMG industry saying Bangladesh has made significant improvements in various issues, including the development of the garment industry, strengthening the safety of workers, fixing minimum wages, inspection of industrial factories and strengthening of monitoring.

Referring to the latest report of the US Green Building Council, Amu informed that out of 10 eco-friendly factories of the world, seven factories are located in Bangladesh which is a testimony of the government's sincere efforts and initiatives towards making the RMG sector sage, sound, green, environment-friendly and a vibrant one.

More than 1,150 foreign manufacturing companies are participating in the exhibitions from 25 different countries around the world with their latest technology and innovation in the field of textile and RMG sector.

The exhibitions will remain open from 10:30am to 7:30pm.

Source: bss