Ready-made garment (RMG) sector need to include disaster risk assessment in supply chain process for sustainable development, taking proper measures to overcome the disruption due to disasters, experts said.
The government should develop a strategy for a disaster resilient supply chain, adopting riverine route as an alternative, developing the affiliated structure and facilities along Dhaka-Chittagong corridor to carry RMG product efficiently, they said.
Experts made the statement while speaking at a dissemination workshop to disseminate the findings of a study on Supply Chain Resilience of RMG Sector in Bangladesh organized by National Resilience Programme (NRP) in NEC Conference Room of Planning Commission in the city on Wednesday.
Planning Minister M A Mannan inaugurated the workshop as chief guest while State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief attended as special guest.
Senior Secretary, Planning Division Md Ashadul Islam presided.
The workshop was also addressed by Md Mohsin, Secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief , Dr Rubana Huq, President, BGMEA, Ms Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh , Ms Lisa Andersson, First Secretary of Embassy of Sweden, Khandker Ahsan Hossain, Chief of Programming Division and Dr Nurun Nahar, Project Director of NRP-Programming Division part.
The study also suggested for introducing mandatory design standard including implementation of National Building Codes for constructing infrastructure, RMG factories and other civil works.
Additionally, the study recommends for bringing necessary regulatory reforms, establishment of institutions and conducting studies for mainstreaming disaster and climate change related risks into RMG supply chain.
The Planning Minister M. A. Mannan suggested to focus on resilience in every sector to substantiate wholesome solution as a nation.
He agreed on the point to focus on resilience of workers connected to RMG sector for ensuring resilience of the whole sector.
The minister emphasized on promotion of social dialogue engaging the stakeholders for overcoming the challenging issues including the supply chain resilience.
Taking part in discussion, Khondker Golam Moazzem, Research Director, CPD suggested vulnerability assessment of garments factories and making risk profile for risk informed future investment.
Rubana Huq, President of BGMEA, highlighted that supply chain needs to be addressed with broader perspective including the interest of workforce engaged in RMG sector.
She also emphasized on economic resilience of RMG sector for addressing emerging shocks.
Lisa Anderson, First Secretary of Swedish Embassy, asserted that women are the indispensable part of RMG industry in Bangladesh, gender issues need to be considered for enhancing resilience of RMG sector.
