apparel story november december 2014

Interview of the MonthTte--tte with

Odile Saugues

Special FeatureSuperiority of

Suit Manufacturing

BANGLADESH GARMENT MANUFACTURERS & EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION

Apparel St ryNov-Dec. 2014

The

Glimmer of HopeReflected inRendezvous

Lets Work Together forBetter Bangladesh

HAPPYNEWYEAR2015

A NEW YEARA NEW START

ANDWAY TO GO!

WISH YOU A SUCCESSFULAND GLORIOUS

E D I T O R I A L

H Hope springs eternal in the human breast, wrote Alexander Pope in one of his poems. Indeed, hope is a human virtue shared by people all over the world. Each new year is special for all of us as it brings with it new hopes and aspirations for betters days. With bidding farewell to the last year and welcoming the new year 2015, we will leave the bad behind and embrace the good ahead.

At the end of each year we usually reflect on the successes and challenges of the past yearand on the opportunities lying ahead in the year to come. As we step into 2015, it is a time to take stock, set goals and move forward. Our RMG industry has already set a vision of reaching $50 billion of exports on the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh. To make the vision a reality a clear road map is as essential to us as a rudder is to a ship. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) organized the first-ever Dhaka Apparel Summit in last December to outline a sustainable way to achieve the vision. The summit has marked a milestone in the history of our RMG industry as for the first time in Bangladesh it brought together global minds, experts, global brands, policymakers and other stakeholders to share their thoughts and expertise. The cover story of this issue sheds lights on the summit. Two more photo stories on Gorbo and Social and Environmental Excellence (SEE) Award, and a feature on International Trade Expo for Building and Fire Safety held simultaneously with the summit have accommodated in this compendium which, we believe, will transmit the sense of razzmatazz of the rendezvous to the readers of The Apparel Story. Another story sums up the opinions given by the audience during different sessions of the summit through SMS.

It is heartening to find that in the last year our RMG industry has gone through a massive transformation in terms of building, fire and electrical safety. However, a good number of factories are facing challenges to implement remediation plan given by Accord and Alliance due to financing problem. This issue contains a story on remediation financing which we think our readers, especially policymakers and stakeholders concerned, find worthwhile. Those entrepreneurs who are planning or willing to make their factories green will find an informative article in this issue of the magazine. Besides, this November-December issue contains other regular features on research and innovation, interviews, fashion and styles and new market brief.

It is really not possible for us to know what the next twelve months have in store. However, what we can do is to prepare ourselves to face future challenges and grab opportunities.

Wish all of our readers a very happy New Year!

Md. Shahidullah AzimVice President, BGMEA

Disclaimer:The Apparel Story is published for private circulation by Bangladesh Gament Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA). BGMEA assumes no responsibility for the correctness of items quoted in the magazine although every effort is made to give information from sources believed to be reliable.

Editorial Board:

Md Shahidullah AzimMamun Rashid

Editorial Staff:Nur Mohammad Amin Rasel (Content Planning)Omar GiasNasim Uddin

Magazine Team: Emdadul HaqueMohammad Monower HossainNabila Jamal RushaA. K. M. Marzanul Islam JoyUF Nahid SultanaTamanna MahinMusharrat Tarannum

Photographer:Md. Obaidul Arif (Rana)

Designer:Sk. Yeahhia

BGMEA Head Office:BGMEA Complex,23/1, Panthapath Link RoadKarwan Bazar, Dhaka-1215Tel: +88-02-8140310-20Fax: +88-02-8140322-23Email: [email protected]: www.bgmea.com.bdwww.garmentworker.com.bd bgmea.official bgmea bgmeainfo

Apparel St ryThe

CONTENT

01 Editorial03 Content06 Cover Story Dhaka Apparel Summit 2014 Glimmer of Hope Reflected in Rendezvous

16 Photo Feature Grand Finale of Gorbo Social and Environmental Excellence Award 2014

21 Production Productivity CEBAI: A Centre to Improve RMG Productivity

22 Spotlight Building & Fire Safety Expo: Overcoming Fear of Fire

25 Trade & Market BGMEA, CBI join hands to take apparel sector to next level

26 Public Opinion Dhaka Apparel Summit: SMS Opinioun Poll

28 Special Interview Dr. Richard Appelbaum

30 Focus of the Month Remediation Financing for Transforming Bangladesh RMG Industry

34 Fashion & Style Fashion Trends in Winter

36 Interview of the Month Tte--tte with Odile Saugues

39 Special Feature Superiority of Suit Manufacturing

41 Towards Green Craving for Green Industry

43 Research & Innovation Innovations that changed the world

45 Tech Knowledge Use of Google services

47 News & Picture50 Bulletin55 Statistics56 Market Brief New Market: Brazil

THE APPAREL STORY6 Nov-Dec 2 014

Glimmer of Hope Reflectedin Rendezvous

Dhaka Apparel Summit 2014

Cover Story

By Omar Gias

December is the month of our victory. In this month in 1971 Bangladesh was liberated from the clutches of marauding Pakistanis after nine months of bloody war. The valiant sons of this soil made their supreme sacrifice in the war to ensure the political and economic freedom of the country. Through the glorious War of Liberation we earned the political freedom. But the struggle for our economic emancipation will continue until poverty and hunger is fully eliminated from Bangladesh, and the country is elevated to a status of a middle-income state. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said these at the inaugural ceremony of the Dhaka Apparel Summit held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) on December 7, 2014. After the Independence, it was a herculean task to rebuild the country with its limited resources. But we are such a nation who knows it very well how to rise from the rubble, and the present Bangladesh is the glaring example of the fact. However, the Bangladesh we see today is not built overnight and without any effort. The sector that has made crucial contribution to this above mentioned transformation of our economy is none other than readymade garment (RMG) industry. With confidence, determination and ability to think big, the RMG industry started its journey in 1980s. The sector emerged at a time when jute, the golden fiber, the only foreign exchange earner of Bangladesh, lost its golden days. Gradually the readymade garment (RMG) industry became crucial to the countrys economy as the main source of export earnings and employment generation. Now the apparel industry is Bangladeshs biggest export earner with value of over $ 24.49 billion of exports in 2013-14, which is 81.16 percent of the total export earnings of our country. Braving all limitations and obstacles Bangladesh has become the second largest exporter of garment products in the world within three decades. The apex trade body of the garment manufacturers of Bangladesh BGMEA with the vision of achieving US$ 50 billion of RMG export in 2021 when Bangladesh will be celebrating her golden jubilee of Independence organized the first ever Dhaka Apparel Summit.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the Chief Guest while Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali, the Chair of the European Parliaments Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South Asia Jean Lambert, and former US Congresswoman and now the Chair of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safetys Board of Directors Ellen OKane Tauscher were present as the Special Guests at the opening ceremony of the Dhaka Appar-el Summit. In the inaugural ceremony, BGMEA President Md. Atiqul Islam said that the countrys RMG market share is 5% and to reach the vision of 2021 Bangladesh will have to grab 8% share in the global market. The BGMEA President expressed his confidence that with the vibrant workforce and resilient entrepre-neurs of the country the vision is very much achievable if the industry is provided with required policy supports and congenial atmo-sphere to grow.

THE APPAREL STORY 7Nov-Dec 2 014

December is the month of our victory. In this month in 1971 Bangladesh was liberated from the clutches of marauding Pakistanis after nine months of bloody war. The valiant sons of this soil made their supreme sacrifice in the war to ensure the political and economic freedom of the country. Through the glorious War of Liberation we earned the political freedom. But the struggle for our economic emancipation will continue until poverty and hunger is fully eliminated from Bangladesh, and the country is elevated to a status of a middle-income state. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said these at the inaugural ceremony of the Dhaka Apparel Summit held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) on December 7, 2014. After the Independence, it was a herculean task to rebuild the country with its limited resources. But we are such a nation who knows it very well how to rise from the rubble, and the present Bangladesh is the glaring example of the fact. However, the Bangladesh we see today is not built overnight and without any effort. The sector that has made crucial contribution to this above mentioned transformation of our economy is none other than readymade garment (RMG) industry. With confidence, determination and ability to think big, the RMG industry started its journey in 1980s. The sector emerged at a time when jute, the golden fiber, the only foreign exchange earner of Bangladesh, lost its golden days. Gradually the readymade garment (RMG) industry became crucial to the countrys economy as the main source of export earnings and employment generation. Now the apparel industry is Bangladeshs biggest export earner with value of over $ 24.49 billion of exports in 2013-14, which is 81.16 percent of the total export earnings of our country. Braving all limitations and obstacles Bangladesh has become the second largest exporter of garment products in the world within three decades. The apex trade body of the garment manufacturers of Bangladesh BGMEA with the vision of achieving US$ 50 billion of RMG export in 2021 when Bangladesh will be celebrating her golden jubilee of Independence organized the first ever Dhaka Apparel Summit.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was the Chief Guest while Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmud Ali, the Chair of the European Parliaments Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South Asia Jean Lambert, and former US Congresswoman and now the Chair of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safetys Board of Directors Ellen OKane Tauscher were present as the Special Guests at the opening ceremony of the Dhaka Appar-el Summit. In the inaugural ceremony, BGMEA President Md. Atiqul Islam said that the countrys RMG market share is 5% and to reach the vision of 2021 Bangladesh will have to grab 8% share in the global market. The BGMEA President expressed his confidence that with the vibrant workforce and resilient entrepre-neurs of the country the vision is very much achievable if the industry is provided with required policy supports and congenial atmo-sphere to grow.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is seen speaking at the opening ceremony of the Dhaka Apparel Summit.

A BIG TIME GATHERINGForeign and Local Speakers 85+

+9 SeasonsTop Officials of Global Brands50+

Globally Reputed Academicians15+

Audience6000+


The optimism of BGMEA President was echoed in the voices of the speakers of the summit. More than 40 foreign speakers and 50 local speakers took part in the discussions of nine sessions of Dhaka Apparel Summit. In the first session titled Bangladesh RMG 2021- Reaching $50 Billion on 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh - A Collaborative & Coordinated Approach, Rick Darling, Executive Director, Government & Public Affairs, Li & Fung (Trading) Ltd said: If the progress continues with the pace it was over the last 18 months, then there is no question that Bangladesh will reach the target of $50 billion.Infrastructure, energy, education need to be ensured to achieve the target. said Ellen OKane Tauscher, Chair, Board of Directors, Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety. However, Kihak Sung, Founder Chairman & CEO, Youngone Corporation reminded the audience that achieving $50 billion should not be the goal, rather profit and better life should be the goal. Addressing the concerns of the entrepreneurs present in the session Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said that the government is looking into the matter of high bank interest rate, as it is a major deterrent to the business.

In the second session titled Infrastructure - The Road to Chittagong & Beyond, Dr. Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs, said: We have the target to become a middle-income country by 2021. To provide electricity to everyone, we need to double the power generation. We are thinking to import gas from Myanmar to meet the demand of garment factories.Nate Herman, Vice President, International Trade, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), in the session titled Reinventing the Apparel Model - The Race to Responsible Buying & Productivity Enhancement said that the better understanding between suppliers and buyers is the ultimate key to sustainable industry. On the other hand, Arnold Marshal Zack, Professor, Harvard Law School, Boston, in the session titled Assuring Workplace Tranquility said: You need to re-examine and reconsider the process and the way you are operating your business. He said that mediation is a very good device and Bangladesh can make use of it.The progresses so far made by Bangladesh also recognized by the speakers in the sessions. Kyle Kelhofer, Country Manager, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, IFC, said: The industry has not waited for solution

to financial problem raised in carrying on remediation. The factories have already started the remediation work which is unique. John T Smith, Long Term Adviser, Better Work in Textiles and Garments of UNIDO, said that many garment factories of Bangladesh are going green and in addition a good number of new green factories are being established. So I believe that Bangladesh will lead the world in Green Business in the coming years, he opined. Jean Lambert, the Chair of the European Parliaments Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South Asia, commented that the engagement of women in the RMG industry of Bangladesh is extraordinarily positive. So, reaching $50 billion of RMG export means apart from the economic growth of the country, new job opportunity will be created for several million of women. Indicating to this point Wilma B. Wallace, Vice President, Global Responsibility, Human Rights & Business, Gap Inc in the session titled Social Impact - Can RMG Sector Help Bangladesh to Become a Middle Income Country said: Investment in women has multiplier impact on community, economy and country at large. BGMEA arranged garment factory visits for the foreign speakers of the summit. A total of 25 foreign guests visited at least five garment factories by helicopters. The Dhaka Apparel summit was

organized in association with IFIC Bank with HSBC as the title sponsor. The gold sponsors of the event were Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA), Exim Bank, BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT), Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited, NITOL-NILOY, MGH, Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), Jamuna Bank, Dhaka Bank Limited, Al-Arafah Islami Bank Limited, and Rupali Bank Limited. The silver sponsors of the summit included Sonali Life Insurance, General Electric, Green Delta Insurance, Standard Bank Limited, Mercantile Bank Limited, United Commercial Bank (UCB), SUMMIT, YOUNGONE, Robintex Group, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and COATS. The event was supported by IFAD GROUP, Modhumoti Bank Limited, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Rupali Insurance Company Limited, Pioneer Insurance Company Limited, NRB Global Bank, Denim Expert and California Fried Chicken & Pastry Shop. The technology partner of the summit was Microsoft and the beverage partner was Pepsi. BGMEA President Md. Atiqul Islam said that his organization is preparing a book incorporating all the discussions, recommendations and suggestions which came out in the sessions of the Dhaka Apparel Summit. This book will act as the road map to achieving the vision of $50 billion of RMG export in 2021 in a sustainable way.

In the first session titled Bangladesh RMG 2021- Reaching $50 Billion on 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh - A collaborative & coordinated approach, Rick Darling, Executive Director, Government & Public Affairs, Li & Fung (Trading) Ltd said: If the progress continues with the pace it was over the last 18 months, then there is no question that Bangladesh will reach the target of $50 billion.


The optimism of BGMEA President was echoed in the voices of the speakers of the summit. More than 40 foreign speakers and 50 local speakers took part in the discussions of nine sessions of Dhaka Apparel Summit. In the first session titled Bangladesh RMG 2021- Reaching $50 Billion on 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh - A Collaborative & Coordinated Approach, Rick Darling, Executive Director, Government & Public Affairs, Li & Fung (Trading) Ltd said: If the progress continues with the pace it was over the last 18 months, then there is no question that Bangladesh will reach the target of $50 billion.Infrastructure, energy, education need to be ensured to achieve the target. said Ellen OKane Tauscher, Chair, Board of Directors, Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety. However, Kihak Sung, Founder Chairman & CEO, Youngone Corporation reminded the audience that achieving $50 billion should not be the goal, rather profit and better life should be the goal. Addressing the concerns of the entrepreneurs present in the session Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said that the government is looking into the matter of high bank interest rate, as it is a major deterrent to the business.

In the second session titled Infrastructure - The Road to Chittagong & Beyond, Dr. Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Adviser to the Prime Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs, said: We have the target to become a middle-income country by 2021. To provide electricity to everyone, we need to double the power generation. We are thinking to import gas from Myanmar to meet the demand of garment factories.Nate Herman, Vice President, International Trade, American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), in the session titled Reinventing the Apparel Model - The Race to Responsible Buying & Productivity Enhancement said that the better understanding between suppliers and buyers is the ultimate key to sustainable industry. On the other hand, Arnold Marshal Zack, Professor, Harvard Law School, Boston, in the session titled Assuring Workplace Tranquility said: You need to re-examine and reconsider the process and the way you are operating your business. He said that mediation is a very good device and Bangladesh can make use of it.The progresses so far made by Bangladesh also recognized by the speakers in the sessions. Kyle Kelhofer, Country Manager, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, IFC, said: The industry has not waited for solution

to financial problem raised in carrying on remediation. The factories have already started the remediation work which is unique. John T Smith, Long Term Adviser, Better Work in Textiles and Garments of UNIDO, said that many garment factories of Bangladesh are going green and in addition a good number of new green factories are being established. So I believe that Bangladesh will lead the world in Green Business in the coming years, he opined. Jean Lambert, the Chair of the European Parliaments Delegation for Relations with the Countries of South Asia, commented that the engagement of women in the RMG industry of Bangladesh is extraordinarily positive. So, reaching $50 billion of RMG export means apart from the economic growth of the country, new job opportunity will be created for several million of women. Indicating to this point Wilma B. Wallace, Vice President, Global Responsibility, Human Rights & Business, Gap Inc in the session titled Social Impact - Can RMG Sector Help Bangladesh to Become a Middle Income Country said: Investment in women has multiplier impact on community, economy and country at large. BGMEA arranged garment factory visits for the foreign speakers of the summit. A total of 25 foreign guests visited at least five garment factories by helicopters. The Dhaka Apparel summit was

organized in association with IFIC Bank with HSBC as the title sponsor. The gold sponsors of the event were Bangladesh Insurance Association (BIA), Exim Bank, BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT), Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited, NITOL-NILOY, MGH, Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (BICDA), Jamuna Bank, Dhaka Bank Limited, Al-Arafah Islami Bank Limited, and Rupali Bank Limited. The silver sponsors of the summit included Sonali Life Insurance, General Electric, Green Delta Insurance, Standard Bank Limited, Mercantile Bank Limited, United Commercial Bank (UCB), SUMMIT, YOUNGONE, Robintex Group, International Finance Corporation (IFC) and COATS. The event was supported by IFAD GROUP, Modhumoti Bank Limited, Shahjalal Islami Bank, Rupali Insurance Company Limited, Pioneer Insurance Company Limited, NRB Global Bank, Denim Expert and California Fried Chicken & Pastry Shop. The technology partner of the summit was Microsoft and the beverage partner was Pepsi. BGMEA President Md. Atiqul Islam said that his organization is preparing a book incorporating all the discussions, recommendations and suggestions which came out in the sessions of the Dhaka Apparel Summit. This book will act as the road map to achieving the vision of $50 billion of RMG export in 2021 in a sustainable way.

The seminar hall was crammed full with distinguished audience at every session of the summit.

BGMEA President Md. Atiqul Islam said that his organization is preparing a book incorporating all the discussions, recommendations and suggestions came out in the sessions of the Dhaka Apparel Summit. This book will be acted as the roadmap for achieving the vision of $50 billion of RMG export in 2021 in a sustainable way


SESSION 1TOFAIL AHMED, MPHonorable Minister, Ministry of Commerce, Government of BangladeshTHE HONORABLE ELLEN OKANE TAUSCHERChair, Board of Directors, Alliance for Bangladesh WorkerSafety (AFBWS)MOSTAFA GOLAM QUDDUSFormer President, BGMEAMD. ATIQUL ISLAMPresident, BGMEARICK DARLINGExecutive Director, Government & Public AffairsLi & Fung (Trading) LtdKIHAK SUNGFounder Chairman & CEO, Youngone Corporation;Chairman, Korea Federation of Textile Industries (KOFOTI)DR. SYED FERHAT ANWARProfessor, Institute of Business Administration, University of DhakaKYLE F. KELHOFERCountry Manager, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, IFCFRANCOIS DE MARICOURTChief Executive Officer, HSBC Limited, BangladeshSONIA BASHIR KABIRManaging Director, Microsoft Bangladesh LimitedDr. Wazedul Islam Khan, General Secretary, Bangladesh Trade Union Kendra

SESSION 2DR. TOWFIQ-E-ELAHI CHOWDHURY, BBAdviser to the Honorable Prime Minister for Power, Energyand Mineral Resources AffairsDR. ABDUL MOYEEN KHANMember, National Standing Committee, BNPAMBASSADOR JAMES F. MORIARTYBoard Member, Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety(AFBWS) & Senior Advisor for South AsiaBower Group AsiaDR. ZAIDI SATTARChairman, PRIDR. ZAHID HUSSAINLead Economist, World BankMIKIO HATAEDAChief Representative, Bangladesh Office of JapanInternational Cooperation Agency (JICA)S. M. FAZLUL HAQUEFormer President, BGMEAASIF IBRAHIMChairman, Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD)& Vice Chairman, Newage Group of IndustriesSHAMIM UL HUQManaging Director, Maersk Bangladesh Ltd.SRINATH VENKATESHCountry Leader for General Electric Bangladesh

SESSION 3DR. ATIUR RAHMANGovernor, Bangladesh Bank

GERBEN DE JONGAmbassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands to

Bangladesh

K.M. REZAUL HASANATChairman & CEO, Viyellatex Group

BASTIAAN MOHRMANNHead of Water Advisory, South Asia, (IFC), and Co-Lead,

Asia and Middle East, for the 2030 Water Resources Group

ELKE SHRESTHASenior Advisor, Environmental Standards and Resource

Efficiency, PSES, GIZ

LARS DOEMERGlobal Sustainability Manager, Lindex

JOHN T. SMITHLong Term Adviser International Co-ordinator,

Textiles and Garments, UNIDO

MD. LUTFOR RAHMAN (MATIN)2nd Vice President, BGMEA & Managing Director, Lufa

Garments Ltd.

SESSION 4DAN MOZENAAmbassador, Embassy of the United States to Bangladesh

DR. FERDINAND V. WEYHECharg dAffaires, Embassy of the Federal Republic of

Germany to Bangladesh

ANISUR RAHMAN SINHAFormer President, BGMEA

REAZ BIN MAHMOODVice President (Finance), BGMEA

BRAD LOEWENChief Safety Inspector, Accord on Fire and Building

Safety in Bangladesh

IAN SPAULDINGSenior Partner ELEVATE

Z M KAMRUL ANAMPresident, Bangladesh Textile & Garment Workers League

(BTGWL); Coordinator, Textile Group, IndustriALL

Bangladesh Council (IBC); & Member Accord Advisory Board

DEBBIE COULTERHead of Programmes, Joint ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative)

FARZANA CHOWDHURYManaging Director & Chief Executive Officer

Green Delta Insurance Company Limited

TUOMO POUTIAINENProgramme Manager, Ready Made Garment Sector, ILO-Dhaka

BRIGADIER GENERAL ALI AHMED KHAN, pscDirector General, Fire Service & Civil Defense Directorate, Govt.

of Bangladesh

SESSION 5MD. SHAHIDULLAH AZIMVice President, BGMEAAHSAN H. MANSURExecutive Director, Policy Research Institute ofBangladesh (PRI)THOMAS A. NELSONVice President, Supply Chain Global Product Supply, VFCorporationROB WAYSSExecutive Director, Accord on Fire and Building Safety inBangladeshSARAH LABOWITZCo-Director, NY University Stern Center for Business andHuman RightsMUHAMMAD A (RUMEE) ALIAdvisor to the Interim Executive Director, BRACChairman of BRAC EPL Investments Ltd.SHAH A SARWARManaging Director, IFIC Bank LimitedOLAF SCHMIDTGlobal Sector Head, Retail, Real Estate & HotelInvestments, IFCKYLE KELHOFERCountry Manager, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, IFC

SESSION 6MD. SHAHRIAR ALAM, MPHonorable State Minister, Ministry of Foreign AffairsGovernment of BangladeshMAYAUDON PIERREAmbassador/Head of Delegation, European UnionDelegation to BangladeshANWAR UL ALAM CHOWDHURY (PARVEZ)Former President, BGMEADR. TOUFIQ ALIChief Executive, Bangladesh International ArbitrationCentre (BIAC)TYLER GILLARDHead of Sector Projects, Responsible Business ConductUnit, OECDRICHARD P. APPELBAUM, Ph.D.Professor, University of California at Santa BarbaraDR SHARIF AS-SABERHead of Geopolitics, Business and Government researchcluster at RMIT University; Director, Master of InternationalBusiness ProgramSchool of Management, RMIT University, MelbourneNAZMA AKTERGeneral Secretary, AWAJ Foundation; President, SommilitoGarments Sromik Federation, BangladeshPER N. BONDEVIKManaging Director, Joint ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) DIEHNATE HERMANVice President, International Trade, American Apparel &Footwear Association (AAFA)GUNELIE WINUM Founder and CEO, Sustainable Trade, Norway

SESSION 7ARNOLD MARSHAL ZACKProfessor, Harvard Law School, BostonSHAFIUL ISLAMImmediate Past President, BGMEA

THOMAS A. KOCHANProfessor, Work and Employment Relations, Sloan Schoolof Management, MIT, BostonTUOMO POUTIAINENProgramme Manager, Ready Made Garment SectorILO-DhakaGABRIEL PRODIP SKU Project Manager, Social Dialogue, H&M

SESSION 8TOFAIL AHMED, MPHonorable Commerce Minister of BangladeshSHIRIN AKHTER, MPFounder President of Karmojibi Nari & Bangladesah Jatiyo Sramik JoteMOHAMMAD FAZLUL AZIMFormer Member of Parliament, Government of BangladeshABDUS SALAM MURSHEDYFormer President, BGMEAMUZAFFAR U SIDDIQUEFounder Chairman, Board of Trustees, BGMEA University ofFashion & Technology (BUFT)MAHFUZ ANAMEditorPublisher, The Daily StarMONJURUL AHSAN BULBULEditor-in-Chief & Chief Executive Officer, Boishakhi TelevisionMAGNUS SCHMIDProgram Coordinator, PSES, GIZAVEDIS H. SEFERIANPresident & CEO, Worldwide Responsible AccreditedProduction (WRAP)DHYANA VAN DER POLSHead of Nash International, Head of Textile Innovation,Sourcing & Manufacturing, WFSGI; & Key Partner,International Apparel Federation (IAF)

SESSION 9DR. SHIRIN SHARMIN CHAUDHURY, MP,Honorable Speaker, Bangladesh ParliamentTOFAIL AHMED, MPHonorable Commerce Minister of BangladeshJEAN LAMBERTHonorable Member of the Greens/EFA Group of MEPs andChair of the European Parliament South Asia DelegationAMIR KHOSRU MAHMUD CHOWDHURYAdvisor to the Chairperson, Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)DR. ATIUR RAHMANGovernor, Bangladesh BankRUBANA HUQManaging Director, Mohammadi GroupPROFESSOR DR. MUSTAFIZUR RAHMANExecutive Director, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD)MELANNE VERVEERDirector, Institute for Women, Peace and Security,Georgetown UniversityRACHEL HEATHAssistant Professor of Economics, University of Washington, SeattleWILMA B. WALLACEVice President, Global Responsibility, Human Rights &Business, Gap Inc..MD.TOWHIDUR RAHMANPresident, Bangladesh Apparels Workers Federation-BAWF

Speakers are seen at the session titled Bangladesh RMG 2021- Reaching $50 Billion on 50th Anniversary of Bangladesh - A collaborative & coordinated approach.

Speakers are seen at the session titled Environmental Sustainability- A must.

Speakers are seen at the session

titled Infrastructure -

The Road to Chittagong &

Beyond.

Dhaka Apparel Summit in Pictures






Bangladesh










Garments Ltd.

















of Bangladesh







Speakers are seen at the session titled Future of Workers: Workplace Safety and Sustainable Production.

Speakers are seen at the session titled Reinventing the Apparel Model - The Race to Responsible Buying & Productivity Enhancement.


titled Remediation Financing for Transforming

Bangladesh Garment

Industry.






Bangladesh










Garments Ltd.

















of Bangladesh







Speakers are seen at the session titled Assuring Workplace Tranquility.

Speakers are seen at the session titled Social Impact - Can RMG Sector help Bangladesh to become a middle income country?


titled Bangladesh RMG 2021 - Partnering

Media in Development






Bangladesh










Garments Ltd.

















of Bangladesh







Summit Speakers






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Garments Ltd.

















of Bangladesh








Ad3





Bangladesh










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of Bangladesh








Photo Feature

GrandFinale of

Gorbo Voice Talent Huntfor RMG Workers





Bangladesh










Garments Ltd.

















of Bangladesh








Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) recently organized a musical reality show named Gorbo for RMG workers in a bid to give due recognition of their talent. Ten winners, including the champion and the runner-up, were awarded at the grand finale of the show at BICC Auditorium on 8 December 2014. RMG worker Faruq Hossain has won the second edition of BGMEA Gorbo contest while Sohel Arman and Tanvir Ahmed secured the first and second runner-up positions respec-tively. The winners received their trophy and prize money from the Chief Guest Tofail Ahmed, the Commerce Minister, and from the Special Guest Matia Chowdhury, the Agriculture Minister, on the occasion. BGMEA President Md. Atiqul Islam gave the welcome speech at the event. Mesmerizing musical performance and fabulous fashion show by apparel workers kept the audience spellbound during the gorgeous grand finale. Singing of the winners was so riveting that even foreign dignitaries could not resist dancing with the beat of music. Besides, in a unique fashion show by the workers of Urmi Group hit the catwalk to the sound of music, dazzling the eyes of the audience.





Bangladesh










Garments Ltd.

















of Bangladesh








Social andEnvironmentalExcellenceAward 2014


Due recognition is a great way of motivation. Motivation is not only for the winners to continue with their best practic-es but also for others to follow in their footsteps. This is the main objective of the Social and Environmental Excel-lence (SEE) Award, initiated by Germanys GIZ along with Bangladesh government. Eighteen garment companies and seven workers were given the SEE Award 2014 in recogni-tion of best practices and skills development adopted in their workplaces. The award was given in four categories: social compliance, environmental performance, building and fire safety excellence and inclusive skills development. The award ceremony was accompanied by a cultural program which showcased a number of dance sequences ranging from classical Bangla to Latin America, which enthralled the audience.


Production Productivity

By Apparel Story Desk

CEBAI: A Centre toImprove RMG Productivity

The readymade garment industry of Bangladesh has an immense potential for further growth. In 2013 an international study showed that the export of Bangladesh RMG will double by 2015 and triple by 2021. Bangladesh has set a vision of reaching US$50 billion of RMG export by 2021. To realize the vision, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has established the Centre of Excellence for Bangladesh Apparel Industry (CEBAI) in association with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the financing partnership with Hennes & Mauritz (H&M) and Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the project simultaneously with the opening of the Dhaka Apparel Summit on December 7 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center.

The CEBAI has been set up as a replicable model to ensure development of all sorts of skills that are required for the RMG industry. This will effectively increase employability and income of the working poor. This will contribute to poverty alleviation.CEBAI will also deliver training and certification for Instructors, Industry Trainers and Assessors and Owners of enterprises. To cater to the future progress of the industry, supervisors and managers will also be trained and certified in key leadership skills and responsibilities that will focus on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), disability inclusion and workers' rights and responsibilities. Besides, the center will develop a research strategy for the RMG sector on core areas of enabling environment for trade barriers, cross-border investment, technology transfer, value-added products, policy support and sustainability.

BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Reaz Bin Mahmood said, Considering the fast growing industry and envisaging the potential expansion of RMG market in the next 5-10 years, we need such a platform which can demonstrate and implement the initiatives and can make the best practices for the industry in terms of skill development and research strategy.In the context of recent skills development initiative, CEBAI is the training implementation wing as well as a knowledge-based organization for a particular industry and would be driven by the Industrial Skill Council (ISC), a formal committee of National Skill Development Council (NSDC) comprising BGMEA, BKMEA, BTMA and other key stakeholders, he added.A study shows that the performance of Bangladesh RMG export is lower than Vietnam's - the former earns US$ 21.5 billion with an active workforce of 4.0 million while the latter earns US$ 17 billion with only 1.3 million workers. The reason for such performance of Bangladesh RMG is the shortage of skilled manpower. Moreover, the mid-level management of our factories also lacks efficiency in productivity. Industry insiders believe that there is an ample scope for Bangladesh RMG to grow further as the country has a huge active and vibrant workforce. CEBAI can play a significant role in turning the potential and capacity of the large population into the power through a set of quality skills, which can contribute to the social and economic development in contemporary Bangladesh, the experts opined.


entrepreneurs to see the latest fire safety equipment and know how they work and where they can be found. Fire detection system, smoke detector, centralize fire alarm system along with PA and CCTV camera, fire hydrant, sprinklers, fire doors etc were displayed in the expo for visitors.

Technical SeminarThe safety expo organized a technical seminar where participants got the opportunity to place their queries, get to know about so many safety equipment, use of them, advantage for having and disadvantage for not having safety equipment. In terms of structure, participants asked what are the steps of Detail Engineering Assessment (DEA), which Bangladeshi firms are qualified to undertake DEA, to operate DEA what are the core tests, which samples need to be tested and which

lab has certification to do that. Also, who are expert in retro fitting system. While discussing about fire doors, there were questions like do fire doors always mean closed doors or is there any provision for open fire doors system? If yes, then what are the technologies and devices available to establish that system?Participants were keen to know about electronic remediation like thermo graphic scan report. This technology provides thermo graphic eye scanner system with which people can locate hotspot, identify where the cables are overheating, detect poor connections, unbalanced loads, deteriorated insulation, or other potential problems.There were questions about sprinklers and its advantages and disadvantages. As it is a new technology in Bangladesh, there is lack of information among users. The seminar shed lights why sprinkler is important, if any malfunction occurs what could be the steps to handle it, how to maintain it properly, whether Bangladeshi firms has knowledge about this technology to install it as per NFPA standard and so on.Therefore, the technical seminar was a wonderful platform to know many new fire protection technologies, to understand the requirements, sharing point of views, enrichment of knowledge about fire safety and the implementation process of the necessary equipments.

The organizer of the expo surveyed a total of 484 participants. Major findings of the survey: Untrained managers (45%) and

untrained workers (39%) are the top challenges factories face in relation to fire and building safety. Training for management (56%) and training for workers (47%) are considered as top solutions to remediate these challenges.

Participants think that this Expo is a great opportunity to improve knowledge and awareness of fire and building safety amongst all stakeholders.

Insufficient fire

apparel story november december 2014

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