The leaders of the Sammilito Parishad, a panel in the upcoming Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) election, has announced its election manifesto on Wednesday expressing a set of pledges that include ensuring non-stop power supply and arranging alternate stimulus package for the factory owners in a bid to ensure sustainable industry growth.
Vowing to address prudently the pressing challenges surrounding the RMG sector, the Sammilito Parisad leaders said that they will undertake constructive training program to train workers, supervisor and mid-level managers to ensuring the digital and sustainable future of the RMG industry.
The manifesto was announced at an event organized by the Sammilito Parisad at the Intercontinental Dhaka, hotel in the capital.
Major commitments of the Sammilito Parisad include easing access to finance, setting up SME Cooperation Cell, diversification of both products and market, capacity building for tackling post-LDC graduation challenges and strengthening backward linkage industries.
Parisad leaders said they will actively work for implementation of a unified code of conduct, green transformation, circularity, renewable energy, decarburization, go for premium edition of ‘Made in Bangladesh’, formulating responsible exit policy and apparel diplomacy.
Panel leader and Chaity Group Managing Director (MD) Md Abul Kalam formally announced the manifesto with President of Sammilito Parishad and former BGMEA President Quazi Moniruzzaman in the chair.
Former BGMEA President Faruque Hassan spoke on the occasion, moderated by Md Mustazirul Shovon Islam.
The BGMEA election for the 2025-27 term is scheduled to take place on May 31.
Speaking on the occasion, panel leader Md Abul Kalam said the BGMEA election is taking place at a time when the global trade system is passing through a challenging time especially the imposition of reciprocal tariff by the United States of America (USA) for which the country's RMG sector could fall into risk to its single largest export destination like the USA.
Besides, he cited that the energy crisis and pricing, complexities in customs, bond and in the banking sector and the issues related to the LDC gradation could also make challenging the journey of this sector.
Kalam said the Sammilito Parishad has formed a strong panel this time comprising tested, experienced, educated, and professional entrepreneurs to realize industry-friendly policy support from the government alongside continuing the export growth.
Former BGMEA president Quazi Moniruzzaman said many attainments of the BGMEA were achieved in the past under the leadership of the Sammilito Parishad while they would always stand beside the entrepreneurs of the RMG sector in the future like in the past.
Former BGMEA president and chief election coordinator of the Sammilito Parishad Faruque Hassan urged the voters to keep their trust and confidence upon the Sammilito Parishad leaders and candidates.
Faruque said that if elected they would highlight issues related to betterment of the RMG sector including trade facilitation, up-skilling mid-level managers, digital transformation center, unified code of conduct, progress towards the revenue sector reforms, apparel diplomacy and LDC graduation.
A total of 76 candidates will contest for 35 posts of Board of Directors of the BGMEA in the upcoming biennial elections for 2025-2027 term. According to the final list, a total of 1,864 voters --1,561 in Dhaka and 303 in Chattogram -- are expected to cast their votes in this year's election.
