Fashion Power Group (FPG) is a diversified agglomerate that has vertically integrated apparel and textile manufacturing facilities, with concerns in Printing, Embroidery, etc. Fashion Power Group started its journey in 2003 and to date, it has resulted in a conglomerate of 11 concerns. Fashion Power Group has a dedicated and skilled workforce of more than 12,000 employees and had an annual turnover of USD 120 Million yearly. Fashion Power Group supplies quality apparel to globally renowned retailers and is focused on upholding the reputation of Bangladesh’s readymade garments and textiles industry. Fashion Power is well reputed locally and globally for its diverse set of sustainability activities. To ensure maximum support, Fashion Power Group introduce all types of facilities meaning one-stop service stations in its projects. FPG is strongly maintaining the compliance standard along with fire safety and CSR activities as well as the client CoC. FPG believes you will be satisfied with its performance and working environment.
The man behind FPG is Mijanur Rahman who started his career as a Trainee Merchandiser. He built the reputation and brand “Fashion Power Group” with his hard work, dedication, and honesty. He is also the Director of running the BGMEA committee (2021-2023).
Education and Career:
In 1998, Mijanur Rahman, a 22-year-old man, left Feni for Dhaka in search of a better life. He had just sat for his higher secondary school certificate exams and wanted to pursue his education further. However, due to the financial crisis, he had to search for a job. “When I came to Dhaka and rode on rickshaws, the bright lights from different garment factories drew me in. Then and there, I imagined myself as the owner of such a garment factory,” Mijan recalled. “But I never dared say it to anyone.”
The ready-made garment business had always enthralled him. He imagined people busy with the shipment of garment products, workers, entering the factory, working, and then coming out of the factory in groups after completing their shifts. With the help of some good fortune, he began his career as a trainee merchandiser at a garments factory in the city. “Those days, around 400 workers worked in a single factory. These 400 individuals meant the world to me,” added Mijan, now a 45-year-old successful RMG businessman. Mijanur Rahman was elected as one of the 20 directors of BGMEA in the last election. Fashion Power Group is growing rapidly and currently holding the list of companies- Fashion Power Bangladesh Ltd.; Fabrica Knit Composite Ltd.; Taharat Composite Ltd.; FNF Trend Composite Ltd.; Tazkia Apparel Ltd.; F.S Design Printing & Packaging; Far-Sur Young Fashion; Far-Sur Trade International; Esotiq Life Style Ltd.
Starting of professional life:
Mijan was born and raised in an extended family in the village Dakkhin Kuhuma in the Chhagalnaiya Upazila in the Feni district. His family used to run a wholesale rice shop in the small town of Chhagalnaiya. However, when Mijan was a class-4 student, tragedy struck when his father passed away, leaving the whole family to face financial challenges. Despite financial hardship, Mijan studied till the HSC level at the Feni Government College. Then, he had to come to Dhaka in 1998 to struggle and make a living.
Time frame:
| In 1998 | He had to come to Dhaka and struggle and make a living |
| In 1998 | He got a job as a trainee merchandiser at Shanghai Apparel and Shanghai Fashion |
| In 2000 | He admitted to a textile engineering college to do a diploma course in Mumbai |
| In 2003 | Back in Dhaka and wants to set up his own business; a buying a house.’ |
| In the middle of 2005 | He set up his buying house, Fashion Power Bangladesh Limited. The first order came from a Swiss buyer for 6,000 T-shirts. |
| At its peak, in 2009 | The buying house employed 60 workers |
| In 2009 | He bought a small factory in the Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Narayanganj. |
| Later in 2013 | He bought another factory in the Ashulia area. |
| In 2021 | He was elected as a BGMEA Director for 2021-23. |
“Merchandising jobs are filled with opportunities to earn money dishonestly. However, I was always honest in my profession. ” Mijanur Rahman said.
The challenges ahead
Mijan said that the main challenge his businesses are facing is the dwindling price of the product. “We are damaging our market because there is floor price. We are accepting all kinds of orders to make ends meet. The price of yarn has gotten high as well,” explained Mijan. “However, there is no one who can protest against this.” Mijan also highlighted two necessary reforms for the RMG sector, specifically, product diversification and backward linkage. “If you want to survive in the global market, product diversification is a must now,” said Mijan adding that the industry will also have to emphasize strong backward linkage.
Future Plan
Mijan plans to continue expanding his business. He dreams of creating employment for more than 1 lakh workers while overcoming the many business challenges he currently faces. “I try to work seven days a week. Leisure means work to me,” said Mijan. Still, Mijan explained that he makes time for his family by occasionally traveling the world with them.
