Our Correspondent
CHITTAGONG, Feb 28: Export earning from the RMG sector is likely to exceed US$ 30 billion in the next five years, hoped the State Minister for Land Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Jabed.
He said the readymade garment (RMG) industry is playing the key role in the country's export sector. There is no alternative to the RMG in building the national economy on a strong footing, he further said.
He was addressing as chief guest the first founding anniversary of Chittagong BGMEA Institute of Fashion and Technology (CBIFT) at the Mahbub Ali auditorium of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Chittagong region on Thursday evening.
The function was addressed by vice chancellor of Chittagong University Anwarul Azim Arif and first vice president of the BGMEA Chittagong region Nasir Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury as special guests.
In the meeting presided over by CBIFT governing body president Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, also former first vice president of BGMEA the State Minister said one sector has always played the key role behind the progress of a developed country. In the progress of Bangladesh it is undoubtedly the garment manufacturing sector, he added.
"The export earning of the RMG sector will be double of the present volume by the year 2021. To achieve that goal we must take necessary steps," he said.
Although the RMG sector reportedly thrived centring the port city of Chittagong in the beginning, it grew up in Dhaka, Savar, Gazipur and Narayangonj, he stated.
"But the recent political impasse has forced many to think that garment industry if would have been set up in Chittagong, it could deliver greater output for proximity of the industry with the prime maritime port," Jabed said.
"You are dreaming to turn this institute (CBIFT) into a university. You may proceed on with the project. On my behalf I will try my best to provide land support to you," he concluded.
CU VC Professor Azim said Bangladesh is the world's second largest garment exporter. It is a pride of the nation. But the sector should be expanded as it has to move at par with other major exporting nations and also survive in the age of tough competition.
BGMEA first vice president Nasir Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury recalled that the readymade garment industry had started it journey in 1980s. The industry has grown up well and stood on strong footing over the last decades and it is an industry of 20 billion US Dollar today at the endeavour of its manufacturers and exporters.
CBIFT president Nasir Uddin Chowdhury opined that specialized selected courses must be incorporated in the national curriculum on the basis of the demand of entrepreneurs of this industry and global buyer organiSations.
