Rajiv Dey: Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have signed an important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to showcase Bangladesh’s major foreign exchange earning textile and ready-made garment sector on the global stage in a stronger, innovative and environment-friendly manner.
BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell and BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations at a function organized at the Gulshan Club in the capital on Tuesday, August 4.
The main objective of this joint venture is to enhance the global competitiveness of Bangladesh’s ready-made garment and textile sector, technology-based modernization and expansion of new markets to achieve the export target of $100 billion. To this end, a world-class ‘Bangladesh International Textile and Apparel Machinery Exhibition (BITMA)’ will be organized in collaboration with an internationally renowned event organizer.
The exhibition will combine automation, artificial intelligence (AI), cutting-edge technology and sustainable fashion concepts. It is expected that this will lead to technological transformation, increase production capacity and strengthen the competitive position in the country’s textile and ready-made garment industry in the international market.
The top leadership, office bearers, board members, directors and policymakers from various sectors of the two organizations were present at the MoU signing ceremony.
BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, former BTMA President and Managing Director of New Asia Limited A. Matin Chowdhury, former president of BGMEA and current president of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), former vice-president of BTMA Abdullah Al Mamun and vice-president (finance) of BGMEA Mizanur Rahman.
A 10-member joint committee will be formed to manage the exhibition, take strategic decisions and ensure financial transparency. The committee will have an equal number of five representatives from BTMA and BGMEA.
The responsibility of the chairman of the committee will rotate between the two organizations every year. In the first year, the chairman will be nominated from BTMA and the co-chairman from BGMEA.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said, “Our main goal is to keep Bangladesh at the forefront of the revolution in artificial intelligence and green technology that is taking place in the global garment industry. This united effort of BTMA and BGMEA will help our industry produce high-value products and take Bangladesh’s image as a trusted hub for ethical and eco-friendly garment production to new heights.”
BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell said, “The textile and garment sectors are two sides of the same coin. This MoU is not just an exhibition; rather, it is a permanent platform for technological transformation, attracting foreign investment and developing skills.”
He added, “By bringing international top technology suppliers directly to Dhaka, we will give local manufacturers a few steps ahead in the global competition.”
The signing of the two top leaders was expected to create opportunities for increased foreign investment in Bangladesh, direct technology transfer and the establishment of new commercial networks worldwide. Those concerned also believe that this will open the door to new possibilities in the country’s economy.
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