SA textile education centenary in February

Talha Bin Habib A three-day international programme marking the centenary of textiles education in the subcontinent will be held in the country early next year, officials said. "The centenary will be celebrated from 9 to 11 February in Dhaka. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the programme," textiles and jute secretary Md Ashraful Moqbul told the FE. He said the programme will highlight the country's progress in the textiles sector. It has also an objective to attract more investment in the sector. He said that textiles ministers from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) countries and China are expected to attend the programme. "We are working on it. We will send invitation letters to the ministers of those countries to participate," Mr Moqbul said. He said different committees with the involvement of stakeholders had been formed to look into matter. "The government has formed nine committees. Six are sub- committees so that the forthcoming international gathering ends successfully," he said. He said the programme will also help the country adopt new modern technologies from countries that are playing a leading role in the sector. Besides, textiles experts, stakeholders and government high-ups from SAARC countries will participate in the programme that will help the participants share knowledge and experiences among themselves. "The programme will present the chronological development of textiles education in the subcontinent as well as the country during the last one century. There will also be rallies, seminars, discussions and fashion shows and distribution of prizes to the veteran figures in the field of textiles," he said. The secretary said the cost of the programme is estimated at Tk 60 million. Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association (BTMA) will participate in the programme.