BGMEA at a Glance

BGMEA at a Glance

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is one of the largest trade associations in the country representing the readymade garment industry, particularly the woven garments, knitwear, and sweater sub-sectors with equal importance. Starting its journey in 1983 today BGMEA takes care of an industry that is at the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy. Since its inception, BGMEA has been dedicated to promoting and facilitating the apparel industry through policy advocacy to the government, services to members, and ensuring workers’ rights and social compliance at factories.

Mission and Vision

BGMEA works with the vision to develop the RMG industry of Bangladesh and the economy of the country. Having such a vision BGMEA chalked out the following missions and its strategic direction is paved accordingly. Firstly, to protect and promote the interests of the industry; thus ensuring a sustained growth in the foreign exchange earnings in the country. Secondly, BGMEA is committed to ensuring all legitimate rights and privileges of the garment workers. The association also strives toward the betterment of the society and environment.

Members

BGMEA started with only 12 members in the early 1980's and presently has around 4300 member factories. Around 40% of BGMEA member factories are knitwear and sweater manufacturers, and the rest 60% are woven garment manufacturers. BGMEA member factories account for 100% of woven garment exports of the country and more than 95% of sweater exports, while around half of the light knitwear exports are made by them.

How BGMEA run

BGMEA is being run by a 35-member elected Board of Directors. The Board of Directors is elected for a two-year term. Seven Vice Presidents having important portfolios, along with a secretariat of experienced officials, assist the President in formulating and executing vital policies and programs of the organization.  The President is the highest executive authority of the association. The Board of Directors takes assistance from different Standing Committees headed by a Chairman and composed of members having vast experience in the related fields. Strict adherence to democratic norms and code of conduct are being maintained in the BGMEA elections, which has been regarded as a trend-setter in trade body elections of Bangladesh for its pre-election projection caucus and election-day discipline.

Role of BGMEA in the Development of Bangladesh Ready-made Garments (RMG) Sector

 Those who are doing the job or studying in the Garments sector must know about BGMEA. BGMEA is building a strong backbone of Bangladesh’s economy. BGMEA is actually the short form of –“Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association” which is one of the largest trade associations in our country representing the readymade garment industry, particularly the woven garments, knitwear, and sweater sub-sectors. BGMEA has started its journey in 1983 in our country.

BGMEA is consists of by 35-members. There are Board of Directors, which are elected persons. The Board of Directors is elected for a two-year term. The Board of Directors takes assistance from different Standing Committees headed by a Chairman and composed of members having vast experience in the related fields. But the President is the highest executive authority of the association. In the BGMEA election, the entire discipline is maintained with restriction. 


BGMEA has some mission and vision. BGMEA works with the vision-

• To develop the RMG industry in Bangladesh
• To develop the economy of the country
• To protect and promote the interests of the industry
• To ensure all legitimate rights and privileges of the garment workers 
  
  01. Trade Facilitation & Promotion-Organizes Bangladesh Apparel & Textile Exposition (BATEXPO) since 1989 and the Chittagong Fabric, Apparel and Textile Exposition (CAFAXPO) since 2003. 
  
  02. Human Resources Development- Job placement program for people with disabilities, training for the member factories on social and environmental standards, Undertook program to enhance productivity & quality at the factory. 
  
  03. Green & Clean Production- Starting several programs with partners to assist all the member factories toward energy-efficient and cleaner production. 
  
  04. Garments-related education- BGMEA Institute of Fashion & Technology Established in 1999. Its main purpose is to produce technically competent human resources for the garment industry. It offers short and long courses in apparel manufacturing, fashion design & merchandising. In the future, it will be transformed into a Fashion University of Bangladesh. 
  
  05. Healthcare for the workers- BGMEA provides healthcare facilities. BGMEA runs 12 Health Centers for garment workers and their families. It provides pre-medical services and medicines at free of cost. It also aware workers about HIV/ AIDS and so on. 
  
  06. Increasing wages- Discussed with the Bangladesh government, BGMEA ensures better minimum wages for workers. The minimum wages of all seven grades have been increased by around 81% on average. 
  
  07. The CSR initiatives of BGMEA- BGMEA have started a food rationing program for workers since 2009& also taken particular projects for the rehabilitation of the returned camel Jokies from Dubai.