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Mr. Syed Farhad Ahmed, Managing Director, Aamra Group of Companies, presided over the seminar. Panel members included:

• Pradeep J. Sugathadasa, Director and General Manager, Avery Dennison Paxar Bangladesh Ltd.
• Laurens F. Muller, Country manager, The Cotton Group
• Mr. Fazlul Haque, President, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA)

The seminar consisted of two main events: interactive discussion and raffle draw. Syed Farhad Ahmed started the discussion with the background of the Bangladeshi garments industries. Twenty five years ago, garments industry started in Bangladesh. In the beginning, their operation was only limited to stitching. Now, the garments industries have significantly extended their operations which include: fabric production, cotton spinning, weaving and so on. As a distributor of garments machineries, Aamra group, played a significant role in Bangladeshi garments sector. He said that the standards of Bangladeshi garments factories may be lower in the beginning but they have made progress step by step. For better revenue, Bangladeshi garments owners should emphasize on meeting the international standards in terms of infrastructure, production, service, and social compliance such as, paying the minimum wage. Currently, Bangladesh has to compete with countries like China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka. Compared to Bangladesh, Sri Lankan garments industries have efficient technology. They can provide better quality products. In terms of social compliance, Vietnam, Cambodia and Sri Lanka are in better position than Bangladesh.

Mr. Laurens F. Muller emphasized on meeting product deadline. If the manufacturer fails to meet the deadlines of the buyers then it leaves a bad impression on the buyer. He also said that Bangladeshi manufacturers should target high-end garment products such as fashionable items to increase their revenue.

Mr. Pradeep J. Sugathadasa expressed high hopes about Bangladeshi readymade garments sector. At present, the garments sector is a $9 billion industry which will become $15 billion in 2011. He said that manufacturers should increase their product diversification. Like Muller, Pradeep J. Sugathadasa also opined that Bangladeshi garments manufacturers should target luxury products. He also said that garments factories should have skilled and well-organized and efficient middle management. Sometimes it is not the infrastructure that creates problems but poor people skills and inefficient management. He also added that the ready made garments sector should have good human resources. Poor understanding between the higher and middle-management causes serious problems. He said that Bangladeshi people understand profitability very well but they are not good in managing people.  

Mr. Fazlul Haque said that at BKMEA they are emphasizing on increasing the productivity of the garments factories. He said that at present, Bangladeshi garments factories are utilizing 50% of their production capabilities. In order to increase productivity, Bangladesh Ministry of Commerce and German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation have arranged a 3 month long training program known as The Promotion of Social, Environmental and Production Standards in the Readymade Garment Sector, (PROGRESS). Under this program, nine engineers are working in various garments industries. They are working on changing the lay out of the production facility, training workers, middle managements and garments owners. He believes that at present the companies can increase their productivity up to 90%. Mr. Fazlul Haque also agreed with Pradeep J. Sugathadasa and Laurens F. Muller that Bangladeshi readymade garments manufacturers should target high end products and luxury items along with basic items. Another important aspect he mentioned is good negotiation skill. Very often, Bangladeshi manufacturers give into the demands of the buyers. They should grow strong and learn to say ‘No.’ The manufacturer should remember that he did not force the buyer to come to him. The buyer knows that the manufacturer can provide him better quality goods at lower price. He also talked about the importance of country branding. Bangladesh government should work hard on improving the image of the country. He said that Bangladeshi missions situated in various countries should give serious efforts to attract more buyers.

Foreign representatives of three companies were also present in the seminar. They were: George Moschonas, CEO, Vestis International; Ulf Priester, Area Sales Manager and business development, Intertrad Group; and Edmund Loucky, Sales Manager, Santex Group International AG. All of them gave positive feedbacks on Bangladeshi readymade garments sector. According to George Moschonas, Bangladesh is a great place for doing business. It is safe; the people are very friendly and hospitable; most important, foreigners in Bangladesh can communicate better with the people because their English communication skill is better than those of some other countries such as, China. These are great advantages for Bangladeshi garments owners.

Managers and CEOs from various garments factories were also present in the seminar and expressed their views on increasing revenues.

The last part of the seminar was raffle draw. Russell T. Ahmed declared the name of the winner. Once again, he expressed his gratitude to the panel members and the attendants for coming to the discussion and concluded the seminar.