Friday, April 26, 2024
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called on Primark to strengthen partnerships with their suppliers in Bangladesh to produce more innovative high-end products.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the call when a delegation of Primark and Associated British Foods (ABF) met him at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka on Monday, according to a press release.
Faruque requested Primark to build a long-term partnership with their suppliers to support them in scaling up capacity in the area of sustainability in products and processes.
He also called on the globally renowned clothing brand to increase sourcing apparel, especially more diversified value-added products from Bangladesh.
The delegation included Paul Marchant, chief executive officer, Primark, Paul Lister, director of legal services and company secretary, ABF, Katharine Stewart, group corporate responsibility director, ABF, Steve Lawton, Primark Group product director, Jon Rolls, group director of planning and space, Emma Ormond, head of policy and public affairs, Primark, Matthew Rhodes, head of sourcing Primark, and Filippo Poggi, country controller Bangladesh, Primark.
BGMEA Vice-President Miran Ali and Director Faisal Samad were also present at the meeting.
Both sides discussed the current state of the industry, its challenges and prospects, read the release.
They also had discussions on how Primark and BGMEA could step up their collaboration to achieve common goals in the area of sustainability to make positive impacts on the economy, environment and improve the lives of the workers in the supply chain.
They expressed optimism about working together to create a win-win situation for Primark and the industry.
Faruque highlighted the strategic vision of the BGMEA that aims to accelerate the growth of the ready-made garment (RMG) industry making it more sustainable and competitive with innovation and technology.
He called on Primark to support the Centre of Innovation, Efficiency and OSH (CIEOSH).
The centre established by the BGMEA aims to support Bangladesh’s RMG industry with knowledge and technological know-how to enhance its competitiveness in the global market.
