The second edition of the “Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017” will be held on 25 February 2017 at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka, Bangladesh with the objective of opening dialogue on framing strategies to secure a more sustainable apparel supply chain from local and global perspectives.

BGMEA President Md. Siddiqur Rahman made the announcement at a press conference held at the Apparel Club in BGMEA Complex on 19 February.

Honorable Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the daylong event organized by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in collaboration with Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE).

In his address to the media, the BGMEA President said that the Dhaka Apparel Summit is a prime event on textile and apparel industry in Bangladesh that brings together some of the world’s leading experts in their respective fields to share their experiences and visionary thoughts on issues pertaining to the apparel industry and ways in which the business can realize sustainable growth well into the 21st Century.

The Summit will feature three panel discussion sessions, offering an open and inter-active environment, and allowing full audience participation and the opportunity for a valid exchange of ideas, he informed the press. The logo of Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017 was unveiled at the media briefing.

BGMEA First Vice President Moinuddin Ahmed, Senior Vice President Faruque Hassan, Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi), Vice President Mahmud Hasan Khan (Babu) were also present at the press conference which was conducted by BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Mohammed Nasir. M. A. Sabur, Chairman of United Commercial Bank which is the Title Sponsor of the Summit, also spoke on the occasion.

Prime Bank Ltd. is sponsoring the event as 'In Association with'. Gold Sponsors of the Summit are: IFIC Bank Ltd, Dhaka Bank Ltd, Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd, Bank Asia Ltd, and BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT). Silver Sponsors are: Mutual Trust Bank Ltd, Mercantile Bank Ltd, Standard Bank Ltd, Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd, Al-Arafa Islami Bank Ltd, Jaj Bhuiyan Group, GIZ, Prime Life Insurance Ltd, Fareast Islami Life Insurance Co Ltd and BICDA.

The seminars will be attended by representatives of the Government, international organizations, economists, brand representatives, development organizations, employers, workers’ representatives, civil society members, academics, and media from home and abroad.

Apart from local experts, following are some of the international experts who will take part in lively discussion on different topics in the seminars as panel discussants:

Mr. Christopher Woodruff, professor of Development Economics at the University of Oxford and Scientific Coordinator for the Private Enterprise Development in Low Income Countries (PEDL) program;

Mr. Gilbert F. Houngbo, Deputy Director-General of the International Labour Organization (ILO)

Mr. Tim Worstall, Senior Fellow at the Adam Smith Institute in London

Mr. Martin Rama, Chief Economist for the South Asia region of the World Bank

B Thomas Klausen, the CEO of the Danish industry association Dansk Fashion & Textile

Dr. Jochen Weikert, head of the GIZ program “Promotion of Social and Environmental Standards in the Industry” in Bangladesh

Their discussion will shed light on different timely issues, including Bangladesh RMG industry which is at the dawn of a new era in its development, with unprecedented safety standards being adopted and great strides being taken towards achieving environmental and sustainable targets. There is a strong desire to continue the growth of the industry with these principals in mind. The Summit will offer a forum to express and discuss visionary views with a broad spectrum of proposals to further improve the industry’s environmental and sustainable credentials. It also aims to bring to light various methods to achieve these goals.

Session Agenda for Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017

Session-1: Business Policy & Environment: Towards a Better Bangladesh

In recent years the economic growth in Bangladesh has exceeded expectations. In fiscal year 2015-16 the GDP growth reached 7.11%. The government is making efforts to pursue ambitious investment target to raise the GDP growth to 8% by 2021. Several projections and assessments by global financial institutes tell Bangladesh to become a manufacturing hub if the country can improve its trade competitiveness. This session will discuss about business climate in the country and policies required to support its growth potentials. The discussions will explore the priorities to move toward industry led economic growth, particularly in the area of conducive business environment and predictable policies as well as meeting growing infrastructure needs.

Session-2: Collaborative and Responsible Sourcing For Sustainable Growth

In the global supply chain all need a mutually beneficial, predictable and responsible business practices and actions by all stakeholders to ensure sustainability. This requires closer cooperation. Agenda 2030 for global sustainable development speaks of inclusive development and resilient industrialization. These issues are also in focus in various global forums, e.g. UN, OECD and G7. The other side of the coin is that fierce competition among the buyers and suppliers not necessarily is healthy and sustainable for all stakeholders in the supply chain. This session will discuss the importance of stakeholders’ collaboration and economics of sustainability for meaningful persuasion of sustainability agenda within the apparel supply chain.  

Session-3: Bangladesh Apparel Industry: Transformation and the Road Ahead

Bangladesh’s apparel industry has taken great strides against many internal and external challenges. In the recent years the industry has been making tangible progress in occupational health and safety as well as structural integrity and harmonious industrial relations. There remains more to be done. The panelists in this session will share their perspectives on transformation, challenges faced and the road ahead. The session will also highlight the importance of modernization and resilience of the industry and moving up the ladder of responsible value chain for creating better opportunities for all. 

For more info please visit: www.dhakaapparelsmmit.com