RMG industry is the main driving force of Bangladesh's economy: Nanak

Entrepreneurs in our garment industry are very smart. They have successfully tackled various challenges in the garment industry. We have made remarkable progress in various sectors under the leadership of Bangabandhu's daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. I believe, the garment industry of Bangladesh will go much further. Bangladesh will become a developed country by the hands of this industry.

Figure: Minister of Textiles and Jute Jahangir Kabir Nanak was the chief guest in the closing ceremony of the 16th Bangladesh Denim Expo.

Minister of Textiles and Jute Jahangir Kabir Nanak said these things in the closing ceremony of the '16th Bangladesh Denim Expo' organized at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital on Tuesday (May 7).

Jahangir Kabir Nanak said that the garment industry is the main driving force of Bangladesh's economy. About 84 percent of the country's export income comes from this industry. About 4 million workers are employed in this industry, of which 65 percent are women. The life and livelihood of nearly two crore people of this country are directly and indirectly related to this industry. The contribution of garment industry to the GDP of this country is about 11 percent. Last year Bangladesh's garment export was more than $47 billion.

He said, under the leadership of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, we fought a liberation war for political and economic liberation. It can be said that the economic liberation of Bangladesh has come from the hands of the garment industry of this country. Around 160 countries around the world wear 'Made in Bangladesh' clothes.

The minister requested the garment buyers to choose Bangladesh as a sourcing destination as a safe and compliant garment manufacturing country and give fair price for garments. It is natural that our clothing will cost more than clothing from a non-compliant African country. Because the entrepreneurs of this country are regularly investing in ensuring the safety of the working environment and making environment-friendly clothes.

At that time, Irma Van Dueren, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh; Siddiqur Rahman, former President of BGMEA and Secretary of Bangladesh Awami League for Industry and Commerce Affairs; S.M. Mannan (Kochi), President of BGMEA; Abdullah Hil Rakib, Vice President, BGMEA & Managing Director, Team Group; Ziaur Rahman, Regional Head, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Ethiopia, H&M; MD.Mohiuddin Rubel, Additional Managing Director, Denim Expert Ltd. & Director, BGMEA were the distinguish guests of the closing ceremony.

More than 60 companies from 13 countries of the world are participating in the two-day Bangladesh Denim Expo fair.