Oven Garment - Bangladesh Business News

How to make the Bangladesh apparel industry sustainable

BBN Desk — Wed, 16 Oct 2019 04:11:56 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The second edition of the Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF), scheduled to be held in Dhaka on November 05, is aiming to make the apparel and clothing industry of Bangladesh more sustainable.

"Sustainability is not an option but a must for the Bangladesh apparel industry. So, the SAF aims to add pace to the sustainability momentum and drive discussions to that end,” Mostafiz Uddin, a key organizer of the forum said during a press conference in Dhaka on Monday, reports SPORTSWEAR INTERNATIONAL.

The SAF is being organized by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) with support from the embassies of the Netherlands and Sweden, H&M, Better Work Bangladesh and C&A Foundation.

Mr. Uddin, founder and CEO of the BAE, said the second SAF is going to be the biggest event in the history of the Bangladesh apparel industry.

This is high time for the Bangladesh garment industry to demonstrate its determination to make the industry sustainable, diplomats and business leaders said while explaining the necessity for sustainability at the press conference.

A sustainable readymade garment sector will help ensuring economic growth, job creation and social progress of Bangladesh, they added.

GJ Harry Verweij, ambassador of the Netherlands in Bangladesh, said nobody wants to buy products that are made by children or that seriously harm the environment.

“People expect products to be responsibly sourced. People feel they have a right to fair products, produced without human rights violations and environmental damage,” the diplomat explained.

Apparel consumption is set to increase by 65 per cent by 2030 globally when the population will go up by 16 per cent, creating huge business potential for Bangladesh’s garment industry, according to Ziaur Rahman, H&M’s country manager for Bangladesh, Pakistan and Ethiopia.

“Environmental pollution will appear as a big challenge then, as it is spreading at the same rate of the global apparel consumption,” the H&M official added.

Mr. Rahman also said that his company had already asked all of its suppliers and manufacturers to be more aware of the sustainability of the fashion business.

Bangladesh has already built up many world-class green garment factories solely for sustainability of the business and environment, not under any buyer’s prescription, Rubana Huq, president of the BGMEA, said.

“For me sustainability is not only environment, it is very much about sustainable factories, labour practice and of course sustaining and subscribing sustainable environment prices,” the BGMEA chief added.

Charlotta Schlyter, Sweden’s ambassador to Bangladesh, and MA Rahim (Feroz), vice-president of the BGMEA also spoke on the occasion.

The SAF will include a series of panel discussions on critical issues such as water sustainability, actions to combat climate change, transparency and responsible purchasing practice among others where more than 50 speakers from home and abroad are expected to share their expert opinions, according to the organizers.

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H&M encourages suppliers to pay workers digitally

BBN Desk — Thu, 09 Mar 2017 03:23:54 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Swedish retailer H&M has announced it would encourage its suppliers to pay their workers through mobile money or other digital forms to improve the livelihoods of its workforce, enhance transparency and cut factory costs.
The move came following the company’s joining the ‘Better Than Cash Alliance’, a United Nations-based partnership of governments, companies and international organisations accelerating the transition from cash to digital payments, according to a statement issued by the Alliance.
“Digital payments are an efficient and scalable way to improve the lives of the employees of our suppliers. They offer a faster, safer and more transparent way to receive their salary, increase financial inclusion and support women’s economic independence,” Gustav Loven, Social Sustainability Manager at H&M group, said in the statement.
“Also, for our suppliers, paying wages digitally can generate savings, increase security and provide more accurate data on wages,” it quoted Gustav Loven as saying.
“H&M group is taking a bold step in recognising how cash-heavy supply chains limit efforts to empower workers and prevent companies from increasing transparency. And, it’s inefficient,” said Ruth Goodwin-Groen, Managing Director of the Alliance.
“H&M group’s leadership will help inspire other companies in the industry, and beyond, to make the shift to digital payments and contribute to inclusive growth, as well as to the Sustainable Development Goals, in emerging markets.”
As most part of the benefits will be realised by female workers, this move is a prime example of a corporation working to achieve the SDGs on gender equality (SDG-5) and decent work and economic growth (SDG-8).
Some 65 per cent of the 1.6 million people employed along H&M group’s supply chain including in Bangladesh were women, many of them with limited access to the financial services they need to create a better life for themselves and their families.
H&M group joins 55 other Better Than Cash Alliance members, and will have access to the knowledge and technical expertise offered by the Alliance and its members to accelerate the shift to digital payments, helping to advance economic growth and expand financial inclusion.

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China to start cotton reserve auctions this month

BBN Desk — Sat, 04 Mar 2017 05:10:17 +0000

Washington, DC (BBN)- The Chinese government is expected to start sales from its cotton reserves on the sixth of this month and to continue offering around 30,000 tonnes a day until the end of August 2017.
More cotton may be put up for auction if sales are strong and market prices rise, according to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC).
Last year, around 2.6 million tonnes were sold through the end of September 2016. Assuming a similar volume is sold this year, the total volume held by the Chinese government will reach 6 million tons by the end of 2016/17.
China’s total stocks, including those in the private sector, are forecast to reach 9.3 million tonnes at the end of 2016/17, accounting for 53 per cent of world stocks, the ICAC said in its latest report.
World ending stocks are expected to decline by 7.0 per cent to 17.9 million tonnes in 2016/17.
In 2017/18, world cotton consumption is projected to exceed production by 1.2 million tonnes and stocks are expected to decline for the third consecutive season to 16.7 million tonnes.
China’s ending stocks could fall by 19 per cent to 7.5 million tonnes, accounting for 45 per cent of world stocks at the end of 2017/18.
This would mark the first season since 2011/12 that China’s stocks account for less than half of world inventories.
World ending stocks outside of China are forecast to grow by 7.0 per cent to 8.0 million tonnes, which could place downward pressure on prices later this season.
Global cotton production is forecast to grow by 23.1 million tonnes on a planted area of 30.4 million hectares in 2017/18.
India’s cotton production is projected to rise by 2% to 5.9 million tonnes, as area expands by 7.0 per cent to 11.2 million hectares.
China’s cotton production may increase by 2.0 per cent to 4.8 million tonnes, but will greatly depend on whether a subsidy is provided this year.
While high cotton prices relative to competing crops is likely to lead to a large increase in planted area expected in the United States in 2017/18, production is forecast to rise by just 1.0 per cent to 3.7 million tonnes.
Assuming normal weather patterns, the harvested area is projected to expand by 3.0 per cent to just under 4.0 million hectares. Pakistan’s cotton production is forecast to grow by 11 per cent to 1.9 million tonnes.
Its cotton area is projected to expand by 3.0 per cent to 2.5 million hectares as high prices this season encourage farmers to plant, and the average yield may grow by 8.0 per cent to 736 kg/ha as the crop recovers from pest pressure.
After declining by 1.0 per cent to 24 million tonnes in 2015/16, world cotton consumption is expected to remain stable in 2016/17.
Given the strong demand this season and anticipated world economic growth in 2017 and 2018, world mill use is forecast to increase by 1.0 per cent to 24.3 million tonnes.
China’s consumption and share in the world total declined continuously from 2010/11 to 2015/16, when it reached 7.4 million tonnes. While its mill use is forecast to grow by 2.0 per cent to 7.6 million tonnes in 2016/17 and by 1.0 per cent to 7.7 million tonnes in 2017/18, its world share of cotton consumption is likely to remain at 30 per cent.
Mill use in India is projected to decline by 3.0 per cent to 5.1 million tonnes in 2016/17, but is forecast to recover by 1.0 per cent to 5.2 million tonnes in 2017/18.
Consumption in Bangladesh continues to grow due to strong textile exports, with its mill use likely to rise by 5.0 per cent to 1.5 million tonnes in 2017/18. Mill use in Vietnam has more than doubled in the last five years from around 500,000 tonnes in 2012/13 to an expected 1.2 million tonnes in 2017/18.
World trade is expected to expand by 3.0 per cent to 8 million tons in 2017/18.
China’s import volume is expected to rise by 11.0 per cent to 1.1 million tonnes in 2017/18 as its mill use continues to outpace its production.
Bangladesh’s imports are projected to rise by 3.0 per cent to 1.5 million tonnes in 2017/18, while Vietnam’s imports are forecast to increase by 7.0 per cent to 1.24 million tonnes.
The United States is expected to remain the world’s largest exporter and its volume is forecast to rise by 5.0 per cent to 2.9 million tonnes in 2017/18.
Exports from India, the world’s second largest exporter, are projected to grow by 3.0 per cent to 990,000 tonnes.

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Textiles machinery expo begins in Bangladesh

BBN Desk — Fri, 24 Feb 2017 17:16:20 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- A four-day 'Dhaka International Textile and Garment Machinery Exhibition 2017 (DTG 2017)' began in Dhaka on Thursday to create a common platform for facilitating the country’s apparel and clothing sector.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Mirza Azam formally inaugurated the 14th 'DTG-2017' exposition at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital Dhaka.
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) president Tapan Chowdhury, its vice president Hossain Mehmood and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) vice president Mansoor Ahmed, among others, were present at the inaugural ceremony.
The BTMA, Yorkers Trade and Marketing Service Co in Hong Kong and Chan Chao International Co in Taiwan are jointly organizing the fair.
More than 1,000 companies from 33 countries are taking part in the exposition with their garment and textile machinery and technologies.
The companies include Barudan, CTMTC, Fong's, Groz-Beckert, Karl Mayer, LMW, Loepfe Graf, Lonati, M&R, Oerlikon, Pai Lung, Picanol, Rieter, Santoni, Shima Seiki, Stall, Tajima, Terrot, Thies, Toyata, Zimmer and Truetzschler.
The countries are Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, China, Czech, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Netherland, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, Vietnam and the United States.
'DTG-2017' can be an ideal forum for the suppliers of machinery and the buyers to make contact and source their desired plants, BTMA President Tapan Chowdhury said.
He also said local entrepreneurs will get opportunities to visit latest machinery and technologies at the fair.
Mr. Chowdhury also said Bangladesh aims to increase the volume of its ready-made garment exports to US$ 50 billion by 2021. "We have to turn this ambition into reality through well-designed and co-oriented approaches towards investment and other business initiatives.”
Ever since its inception, the DTG has been renowned for its high turnout of international exhibitors and trade visitors. It is widely seen as a must-visit, leading textile and garment machinery fair in Bangladesh.

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Bangladesh’s closed apparel factories reopen Monday

BBN Desk — Sun, 25 Dec 2016 15:56:31 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The apparel factories which were closed down due to labour unrest at Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital Dhaka will reopen on Monday, garment factory owners said.
“We’ve urged the owners of the closed factories to withdraw the action taken under 13 (1) provision of the labour law and reopen their factories on Monday following the Prime Minister’s instruction and request from 30 labour-right groups,” Md Siddiqur Rahman, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said at a press conference at its headquarters in Dhaka Sunday evening.
The BGMEA chief called on the workers not to get instigated by outsiders, which hinders run of the industry.
Earlier on December 20 last, the BGMEA declared mass closure of the garment units where workers had abstained from work since December 11 to press their demand for pay hike.
To date, a total of 59 units, including more than one of some groups, have been shut down following the work abstention.
On December 21, several platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and additional industrial police members were deployed at the key readymade garment (RMG) zone off the capital to avoid any unwanted situation.
Among others, BGMEA vice-presidents Mahmud Hasan Khan and Mohammed Nasir, and its former president Abdus Salam Murshedy were present at the press conference.
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Buyers cut ties with six more apparel factories in Bangladesh

BBN Desk — Tue, 01 Nov 2016 03:27:55 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) - The global buyers and retailers have announced to cut business relations with six more apparel factories in Bangladesh taking the total number to 151.
The factories have failed to make required progress in remediation for ensuring workplace safety in line the international standards.
The factories are: Mithun Knitting and Dyeing, Intercare Ltd and Goldmart Apparels (Pvt) Ltd in Chittagong and Fair Cotton (pvt) Ltd, Authentic Knit Wear Ltd and Time Knitwear (Pvt) Ltd at Naranyanganj.
The five factories were inspected for fire, electrical and structural safety by the Accord in 2014 and the factory owner continued to fail to implement the remediation process, Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, the platform of European Union (EU) brands and retailers, said in its separate statements on Monday.
With the six, the total number of readymade garment (RMG) factories with which EU buyers cut business relations in different times on workplace safety grounds reached to 47.
Despite notice and warning process and numerous efforts by the Accord staff and Accord signatories, the factory owners continued to fail to cooperate and implement the corrective action plans approved by the Accord, according to the buyers’ platform.
The Accord urged its signatory companies, who were using the factories, to terminate business relations with the five suppliers and all factories they operate.
On the other hand, Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, formed by North American retailers, has so far cut business relations with 104 supplier factories due to failure to make required progress in remediation.
After the Rana Plaza building collapse, which killed more than 1,100 people, mostly garment workers, in April 2013, European retailers formed the Accord while North American retailers formed Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety undertaking a five-year plan which set timelines and accountability for safety inspections and training and workers’ empowerment programmes.
The Accord has so far conducted initial inspections at 1600 factories while Alliance inspected 759 factories in Bangladesh.
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Bangladesh launches programme to train 800,000 RMG workers

BBN Desk — Sun, 09 Oct 2016 18:54:21 +0000

Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh has launched a programme aiming to provide training some 800,000 readymade garment (RMG) workers across the country.
“This training will contribute greatly to that goal as both workers and employers will benefit from improved safety practices,” Mujibul Haque Chunnu, State Minister for Labour and Employment of Bangladesh, said while inaugurating third phase of the Essentials of Occupational Safety and Health (EOSH) programme in the capital Dhaka on Sunday.
He also said safety in the workplace is a major priority for the government of Bangladesh.
It is being delivered by the Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF) with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) with funding from Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) are also supporting the training.
The launch marks the third phase of an initiative that has seen a core group of 114 master trainers from BEF, BGMEA, BKMEA and RMG factories train 8,038 RMG managers and supervisors in occupational safety and health.
In the latest phase, this group will now go on and build awareness of key OSH issues amongst 800,000 workers in 585 factories by June 2017.
The training for workers covers seven priority areas for the RMG sector namely: fire safety; electrical safety; trips, slips, falls and good housekeeping; dangerous substances; ergonomics; personal protective equipment and first aid.
In addition to the EOSH training, the initiative will also see 585 company representatives oriented on the formation of Safety Committees at factory level.
The goal is to establish 110 functioning Safety Committees at company level by January 2017. During the event, the first two modules of an ‘Occupational Safety and Health kit’ that the Government of Bangladesh is developing in collaboration with ILO were also launched.
Covering the areas of managing safety and health, and establishing Safety Committees, the modules form part of an ‘OSH kit’ to be distributed to all RMG factories.
This will provide guidance and support to newly formed Safety Committees to help them function effectively.
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