Saturday, May 04, 2024
‘I’m interested in working in the non-traditional market development. I’m also ready to take any kind of challenge as I think I’ve gathered enough knowledge after working in various standing committees of BGMEA,’ said Rumana Rashid, the chairman of Pantaloon Fashion, a subsidiary of East West Industrial Park, during an interview with The Business Post’s Arifur Rahaman Tuhin. A second-generation businesswoman in the RMG sector, who is currently spending a busy time campaigning, Rumana is a director candidate in the BGMEA Election 2024-26.
Why are you contesting in the BGMEA polls?
As the daughter of renowned businessman late Mohammed Harun ar Rashid who started his first garment factory with a unique formal wear product back in 1985, I have been working in this industry for over 24 years. He served as a director and later as a vice-president of BGMEA. I have had the opportunity to work both within our industry as well as BGMEA.
Apart from learning the ways of the business from my father, I was also involved in various committees of BGMEA, including non-traditional market, anti-sexual harassment and women's affairs. I want to share my experience and contribute to the industry through our panel FORUM and BGMEA.
If elected, what will be your first priority?
If elected, I will work on the tasks I will be assigned. I am interested in working in non-traditional market development as we are experienced in exporting to non-traditional markets.
Generally, a minimum number of second-generation businesspeople manage to become successful in the RMG business. What do you think about this?
I think this is not the case. Every generation in every industry has its limitations and opportunities. When my father and his friends started in the early 1980s, they had their difficulties and at the same time, they identified their strengths to overcome those.
Similarly, now we are running the business and we have difficulties that are not always the same as the ones they faced. So it depends on the economy, global trade situations, logistic limitations, etc. But, I believe most of our generation are giving their best.
In Bangladesh, it is challenging for a woman to do business, and for those who are already in the industry, most of them are either second-generation or have a man leading their companies. What’s your opinion on this issue?
I think, as we are in the year 2024, the industry has evolved and there are a lot of women in leadership roles. Again, it depends on how the previous structure was and how the new generation is engaged or contributing to the industry. I feel that who is leading is not the limitation. As long as teamwork and efficiency remain the focus, what matters the most either way is how the business is contributing to the economy.
Bangladesh still manufactures low-value clothes while our competitors are far ahead in high-value apparel manufacturing. Which areas they should focus on to come out of this situation?
In the last decade, there have been many new factories that focused on high-value items and have been successful. We run a high-value item factory that has been producing formal suits since 1998. After we established our company, there have been many others working in formal wear for men and women. A lot of other high-value items are still being produced and developed. However, there are more opportunities. Branding Bangladesh as a high-quality hub for such products could be something BGMEA can focus on. We have it in our electoral agenda.
Do you believe that Bangladesh has a good environment for doing business? If not, then which areas should be improved?
Bangladesh has come a long way in the past decade with leading green factories and best-quality manufacturing facilities. In terms of commercials, transportation, customs, banking, etc., there are a lot of areas that could be improved and it would enable the industry as a whole to present a better image to our buyers. We need to work closely with the government and international trade bodies for better policymaking in favour of the greater interest of the industry to create meaningful changes.
