The three-day Apparel Summit concluded in Dhaka, identifying the prevailing challenges and opportunities for attaining a US $ 50 billion export goal. Better infrastructure, availability of power and gas, skilled workers and managers have been given top priorities in achieving the target while the seminars emphasized knowledge, education, conducive policy and legislation, CETP for environmental sustainability. For factory relocation or fixing the flaws were also recognized, access to low-cost fund, buyers’ cost sharing, ethical pricing and improved relations between buyers and suppliers were stressed. From apparel manufacturers, brands, fire-safety-equipment vendors and NGOs, over 10,000 participants attended the event. There were nine seminars that have identified a set of challenges ahead of the target and came up with recommendations how to address them. Organizers, mainly Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) were able to present some emerging issues before the global community, especially the global buyers, which will help in brightening image of the industry. Md. Shahidullah Azim, Vice-President of BGMEA said, “Thousands of participants, including manufactures, came to attend the seminars and visit the Expo to know about the latest technologies and their installations.”
