Safety and sustainability will be the main focus at the first Dhaka Apparel Summit. Set to kickstart on 7 December, the three-day event will also focus on how the country can achieve the milestone to achieve US$ 50 billion in RMG export by 2021.
Bangladesh’s readymade garment industry has been significantly supporting the economic growth of the country. However, some recent incidents in garment factories have raised global concern regarding worker safety. This summit intends to send a message to the outside world that this not the true picture of the RMG sector. Talks are on to implement safety measures at workplace to create worker-safety environment. Stakeholders in this sector will also take up issues like how to build an efficient and responsible global supply chain in the textile and garment sector. Organised by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in partnership with Bangladesh Brand Forum, the summit will be held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka.
The other topics of discussion at the summit include dynamics of global sourcing in Bangladesh, product and market diversification, strategic plans to overcome the existing challenges, supportive government policies, importance of physical infrastructure, power, gas and energy to attain the milestone set for 2021. The summit will also help local garment manufacturers to create business relations with global buyers. A safety expo – Bangladesh Building and Fire Safety Expo 2014 – will see participation from world renowned producers of safety equipment.
There will be interactive sessions led by speakers like Dr Toufiq Ali (chief executive of the Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre, former ambassador & secretary in the Ministry of foreign affairs), Thomas A Nelson (vice president of supply chain global product supply for VF), Nate Herman (vice president of International Trade American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), and Jean Lambert (member of the European Parliament for the London Region). The summit is expected to bring in opportunities that will help the RMG sector in Bangladesh to strengthen its foothold in the global apparel market. (BB)
