\\\'RMG to continue its important role in economy\\\'

The readymade garments (RMG) industry of Bangladesh is still retaining the status of the number one foreign exchange earning sector. The RMG sub-sector of Bangladesh tells an impressive story about the leadership of private enterprises in the successful transformation of the country into a major export-oriented economy.
Bangladesh made its first apparel export in 1978 but the progress since early 1980 has been simply phenomenal. It has now become the colossus in the industrial sector earning the country's lion's share of foreign exchange and providing women with the biggest formal employment scope. Despite being a booming one the apparel industry is not that stable because of a variety of reasons.  
These observations were made by Mr Meraj-E-Mostofa, Chairman of Familytex (BD) Ltd, in an exclusive interview with FE recently.
Mr. Mostofa is an MBA from the United Kingdom. After completion of his education, he joined an apparel manufacturing group as General Manager (marketing & merchandising) and subsequently by dint of his performance and experience he became the key person of the company.
Mr. Mostofa has visited many countries of the world in connection of business and has bagged to his credit a vast experience and knowledge in modern methods, technology, production and marketing & management techniques of readymade garments by attending several courses/seminars and visiting similar industrial concerns of other Asian countries.
Having rich experience in various industrial/trading concerns, he has acquired the required experience, fitness and administrative efficiency to run such a business unit. He is the son of Mr. Mohd. Shahjahan, former Sr. Vice President of BGMEA (Bangladesh) and former director of Chittagong Chamber Of Commerce and Industry,who started garment business in 1985 and succeeded in this trade throughout his career. He is a very respected person in garment trade for his knowledge and experience.
It deserves mentioning that following the tragic incidents of Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashion the usual approach of the foreign buyers changed. In a bid to protect the sector from different accidents/ disasters they prioritised certain terms and conditions which include compliance with the safe building code, fire-fighting system etc, in the RMG factories.
In this connection, Mr.Mostofa called for adopting the preventing measures at first and then go for curing. He said Familytex (BD) Ltd always fulfills compliance-related demands of the respected buyers. This factory equipped with following key features:
1) Central PA System with battery backup;
2) Fire graded emergency industrial lights;
3) Central Evacuation Plan;
4) Barred windows with internal mechanisms;
5) Basket type ladder from top floor to ground floor for emergency exit;
6) Installation of lightning arrester;
7) Installation of fire hydrant and auto sprinkler system;
8) UL certified fire graded door;
9) Neon Exit sign;
10) 24 hours monitoring with Security Surveillance System;
11) Addressable fire alarm panel.  
Referring to the manufacturing of certain value-added products by different countries of the world, he said, "We are going to produce the value added products, which are likely to increase our earnings from the RMG products. In this connection, Familytex has trained up its mid-level management with the help of Korean technicians and manufacturing value-added products. So our products earn more value than those of other industries in the country."
He said lead-time of our country is higher than any other country of the world. This has created particular problem since the woven garments are 80 per cent dependent on imported fabrics. For reducing lead-time, he suggested for promoting direct vessel service between Bangladesh and China.
Narrating the success stories of the RMG sector of Bangladesh, he said, now Bangladesh is globally known through RMG products. In this connection, Familytex Chairman proposed for making a slogan "RMG in Bangladesh" like "Made in India" for promoting RMG sector under the joint initiatives of the Government and the BGMEA.
For smooth delivery of the cargo, activities of customs booth in the CEPZ area need to be activated more. Rules and regulations are needed to be made business-friendly, he said.
RMG sector with all sorts of cooperation from the quarters concerned is sure to play a pioneering role in developing the economy of our country, he concluded.