Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), had a courtesy call from Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The purpose of the gathering was to discuss important topics and look into potential future growth prospects for Bangladesh’s important apparel sector.
Director Samiha Azim and BGMEA Vice Presidents Mizanur Rahman and Vidya Amrit Khan attended the conversation, which was held at the BIDA office. Congratulating the recently elected BGMEA Board of Directors, the BIDA Chairman pledged to improve cooperation between the public and private sectors.
During the meeting, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted several challenges currently impacting the industry, including global market volatility, high interest rates, and rising energy costs. He stressed the urgent need for policy support and infrastructural development to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
Key proposals from BGMEA included allocating land in Chattogram at symbolic costs for small and medium-sized garment factories and establishing an integrated garment zone. The BIDA Chairman responded favourably to these suggestions and said that a joint committee with BGMEA will be established to create an action plan in a week.
The group also demanded more investment facilitation for circular economy and renewable energy projects, such recycling textile waste and installing solar panels. They also recommended creating a distinct Ministry of Textiles and Garments to better meet the changing demands of the industry, extending the loan classification grace period from three to six months, and streamlining the bond audit procedure to eliminate administrative bottlenecks.
The chairman of the BIDA recognised the vital role that the apparel industry plays in the national economy and promised ongoing coordination and assistance to encourage investment, innovation, and job creation in the sector. In order to promote sustainable industrial development, he reiterated BIDA’s dedication to cultivating public-private partnerships.
This high-level dialogue signals a growing momentum toward integrated policy efforts to future-proof Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector, the backbone of the country’s export economy.
