BGMEA hopes EU to continue support in post-LDC era

Expressing thanks to the European Union for its support for the betterment of Bangladesh's apparel industry, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan hopes the EU will continue providing its support and cooperation to the South Asian country in the coming days, particularly in the post-LDC era.

“Bangladesh and the European Union have long been sharing a friendly relationship which has grown stronger over time,” he said during a meeting held between a delegation of European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) and leaders of BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) in Dhaka on Monday.

The delegation, led by INTA Chair Heidi Hautala, included members of the European Parliament — Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo, Sven Simon, Agnes Jongerius, Jordi Canas Perez, and Maximilian Krah, the BGMEA said in a press release.

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INTA Committee Head of Unit Martti Kalaus and Administrator Gabriel Alvarez Recarte were also in the delegation.

Charles Whiteley, ambassador and head of delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh, was also present at the meeting.

Faruque Hassan briefed the visiting delegation members about the present situation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, including its strides in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers’ rights and welfare.

He also apprised them about the sustainable strategic vision of BGMEA unveiled recently with an aim to accelerate the growth of the RMG industry in a manner that is sustainable and positively impacts the economy, the environment and the lives of people, read the release.

Faruque apprised them that the apparel industry is aligned with the government in implementing the road map developed by the government in collaboration with ILO (International Labour Organization) to further improve in labour rights and welfare issues.

BGMEA Vice-President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, vice-presidents Miran Ali and Md Nasir Uddin, directors Haroon Ar Rashid, Vidiya Amrit Khan, BKMEA Executive President Mohammad Hatem, vice-presidents Fazlee Shamim Ehsan and Md Akhter Hossain Apurbo, and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO issue ANM Saifuddin were also present at the meeting.