12 Manifesto Titles are –
- SME Support Cell & Policy Advocacy
- Utility Security & Alternate Incentive Package
- Building the Apparel Workforce of Industry 4.0: Upskilling Mid-Level Managers
- Access to Finance: Green Funding Desk and Banking Support
- Market and Product Diversification: Expanding Bangladesh’s Reach Beyond Traditional Markets and Beyond Cotton Products
- Alternate Incentive Benefit Policy for Post-LDC Competitiveness & Backward Linkage Strengthening
- Trade Facilitation & NBR Reform: Bond Access, VAT Simplification, and Regulatory Ease
- EPIC – Export Competitiveness, Policy Intelligence Cell & Digital Transformation Center
- Social Compliance Enhancement Program – Toward a Unified Code of Conduct
- Green Transformation with Business Value: Circularity, Renewable Energy, Decarbonization & Competitive Differentiation
- Made in Bangladesh – Premium Edition: Repositioning Bangladesh in the Global Market
- Trade Diplomacy & Responsible Exit Policy
Manifesto:
- SME Support Cell & Policy Advocacy
Details:
We will establish a dedicated SME Support Cell within BGMEA to address the structural, financial, and regulatory barriers faced by small and medium-sized garment manufacturers. This cell will serve as a platform for advice, access, and policy reform, empowering SMEs to scale and compete in the global market.
- Temporary Bond Facility for Non-Bonded SMEs
Enable time-bound, duty-free import of raw materials for confirmed export orders through a streamlined, temporary bond mechanism. - Simplified VAT & HS Code Assistance
Provide on-demand support and coordination with NBR to simplify VAT refunds and resolve HS code classification issues. - License Streamlining & Exit Policy Advocacy
Advocate for reducing the number of licenses and extending validity to 3–5 years. Push for a formal, business-friendly exit policy for factory closures or restructuring. - Advisory Services for Payment & Legal Issues
Offer case-by-case support for issues like order cancellations, delayed payments, and contract enforcement, especially for SMEs with limited legal resources. - SME Access to Green Finance & Incentives
Prioritize small factory access to green loans, solar funding, and productivity-linked incentives through coordinated programs with banks and donor agencies.
What It Will Solve:
- Structural inequality between large exporters and SMEs
- Regulatory and financial barriers to export growth
- Lack of legal, compliance, and financial advisory support
- Missed opportunities in green transformation, buyer linkage, and policy incentives
Manifesto:
2. Utility Security & Alternate Incentive Package
Details:
We will continue to negotiate strongly with the government and utility service providers to ensure stable, uninterrupted access to gas and electricity for RMG factories, especially during peak production seasons. In parallel, as the government is not able to provide us with uninterrupted utilities, we will advocate for an Alternate Incentive and Benefit Package to support factories impacted by energy shortages.
- Industry representation in national energy planning
- Clear allocation priority for export-oriented industries during gas shortages
- Compensation measures such as tax relief, cost adjustment policies, or interest subsidies when utilities interrupt operations
- Access to alternate fuel and backup energy financing, including solar and hybrid systems for resilience
- Fast-track utility complaint redressal mechanism in collaboration with BGMEA
What It Will Solve:
- Production downtime and delivery failures due to unpredictable gas and power interruptions
- Efficiency loss and financial stress caused by energy-related operational delays
- Absence of any structured policy to protect factories from utility-related disruptions
- Reduced export competitiveness and declining buyer confidence due to uncertain lead times
Manifesto:
3. Building the Apparel Workforce of Industry 4.0: Upskilling Mid-Level Managers
Details:
To prepare Bangladesh’s apparel sector for a digital and sustainable future, we will implement structured training programs for workers, supervisors, and mid-level managers. In partnership with academic institutions and global training centers, we aim to build an industry-ready, future-proof workforce.
- Digital Skills Training:
Introduce modules on AI, IoT, ERP, and automation. - Compliance & Sustainability:
Build expertise in ESG, buyer standards, and reporting. - Technical & Managerial Skills:
Hands-on training in production, QA, and lean processes; revised curricula for mid-level roles. - Academic & Global Partnerships:
Connect universities, BGMEA, and global institutes for joint programs and certifications.
What It Will Solve:
- Skills mismatch and digital illiteracy
- Low productivity among mid-level staff
- Gaps in ESG compliance and buyer engagement
- Weak alignment between education and industry needs
Manifesto:
4. Access to Finance: Green Funding Desk and Banking Solution
Details:
We will establish a dedicated Green Funding Access Desk within BGMEA to help factories, especially SMEs, tap into local and international sustainability funds. This desk will:
- Connect members with low-interest loans and grants from IDCOL, IFC, GCF, and commercial banks
- Assist in preparing bankable project proposals for solar energy, boiler upgrades, ETPs, and energy-efficient machinery
- Offer guidance on certification-related finance, such as LEED or GOTS
- Track and share ongoing funding calls and climate financing programs
- Support documentation for financial access across bank types
- Promote a healthier, more transparent, and sustainable financial ecosystem for the industry
- Advocate for export friendly exchange rate to boost industry competitiveness and national exports
In parallel, we will advocate for policy reforms to bring loan interest rates for RMG exporters down to single-digit levels, improving affordability and access to working capital.
What It Will Solve:
- Limited access to green finance for SMEs
- High loan interest rates that reduce investment appetite and operational flexibility
- Lack of financial literacy and proposal readiness among small factories
- Missed opportunities in sustainability upgrades due to funding constraints
Manifesto:
5. Market Diversification: Expanding Bangladesh’s Reach Beyond Traditional Markets
Details:
We will drive market diversification to reduce reliance on the EU and the US and expand exports to Asia, the Middle East, South America, and Africa. This effort will include:
- Strategic trade diplomacy and MoUs through BGMEA with regional trade bodies and chambers
- Participation in targeted B2B missions, expos, and sourcing fairs in untapped regions.
- Establishment of a Market Expansion Desk at BGMEA to support members with market intelligence, buyer databases, export requirements, and local cultural insights
- Collaboration with EPB, foreign missions, and diaspora networks to build buyer relationships in emerging economies
- Promote non-cotton apparel exports—such as synthetics, blends, and outerwear—to expand product range and reduce reliance on cotton-based sourcing.
- Arranging R&D & Innovation Funds for Product Diversification
Introduce dedicated R&D grants to support factories and design teams in developing new product categories—such as technical fabrics, performance wear, and MMF-based garments—enabling Bangladesh to diversify its export offerings and move up the value chain.
What It Will Solve:
- Heavy reliance on the EU and US markets, which makes the industry vulnerable to economic or political shocks
- Missed opportunities in high-growth apparel-consuming regions and product categories
- Lack of awareness and connection with potential buyers outside traditional trade circles
Manifesto:
6. Alternate Incentive Benefit Policy for Post-LDC Competitiveness & Backward Linkage Strengthening
Details:
We will work proactively with the government and stakeholders to formulate an Alternate Incentive Benefit Policy that will support Bangladesh’s RMG sector in the post-LDC era. As traditional preferential trade benefits phase out, this policy will ensure the sector remains globally competitive through smart fiscal measures, wage stabilization strategies, buyer cooperation frameworks, and sector-specific support tools.
The goal is to protect employment, maintain export momentum, and ease the transition for all factory sizes, particularly SMEs, as Bangladesh enters a new economic phase.
Backward Linkage Strengthening
- Cash incentives & tax holidays for man-made fibre, recycled fibre, coating & other high-end segments.
- Special EDF loans—low interest, long-term—for capital machinery.
- Duty & loan facilities on raw material imports.
What It Will Solve:
- Loss of trade benefits and incentives following LDC graduation
- Risk of wage and cost imbalances across factories
- Shrinking margins for exporters due to higher duties in key markets
- Lack of a coordinated transition strategy to maintain employment and pricing power
Manifesto:
7. Trade Facilitation & NBR Reform: Bond Access, VAT Simplification, and Regulatory Ease
Details:
We will continue reducing export bottlenecks and easing compliance by reforming customs, VAT, and bond procedures, ensuring factories, including SMEs and non-bonded factories, can compete globally with lower costs and fewer delays. We are strongly addressing port challenges and will continue to pursue our objective of ensuring a green channel for RMG specifically.
Key Actions:
- Temporary Bond Facility for non-bonded factories to handle urgent export orders
- Joint Task Force (BGMEA + NBR + Customs) for faster issue resolution
- Simplified VAT & Tax Rules, including VAT exemption via BGMEA and reduced withholding tax
- Green Channel for RMG in ports.
- Support Bonded Suppliers through continued UP Orders.
- Green Incentives for solar and energy-efficient imports
- Incentives for Diversified Products like synthetics and outerwear
What It Will Solve:
- Faster export access
- Reduced customs/VAT delays and hassles
- Lower operational costs
- Better alignment between policy and factory needs
- Stronger push for diversification and sustainability
Manifesto:
8. EPIC – Export Competitiveness, Policy Intelligence Cell & Digital Transformation Center
Details:
We will establish a centralized support platform called EPIC (Export Competitiveness & Policy Intelligence Center) within BGMEA, designed to provide equal access to trade intelligence, growth tools, and technical support for all members—particularly SMEs, women-led enterprises, and second-generation entrepreneurs.
EPIC will house integrated desks to support:
- Export Readiness – Guidance on documentation, registration, and customs for new or small exporters
- Policy Watch Cell – Real-time updates on all policies, local and global, trade shifts, buyer regulations, and sourcing trends to inform manufacturers instantly.
- Digital Factory Tools – A Digital tool for Efficiency diagnostics and production insights without needing consultants.
- Smart Factory Roadmap – Tech adoption pathways tailored for factory size and maturity
EPIC will serve as a one-stop solution for capacity building, opportunity access, and informed decision-making for every BGMEA member, regardless of size or network.
What It Will Solve:
- Unequal access to trade tools, buyer insights, and global standards for SMEs and emerging businesses
- Missed export opportunities due to a lack of technical or regulatory know-how
- Disconnection between factory owners and the evolving global compliance/policy landscape
- Operational inefficiencies and reduced market reach for under-resourced factories
Manifesto:
9. Social Compliance Enhancement Program – Toward a Unified Code of Conduct
Details:
We will launch a BGMEA-endorsed Unified Code of Conduct for social compliance, developed in collaboration with global buyers, the ILO, audit bodies, and development partners. The aim is to create an industry-wide framework that is recognized by multiple stakeholders and meets international due diligence standards.
- Consolidating overlapping audit requirements into one standardized protocol
- Promoting mutual recognition of audits by multiple buyers
- Offering self-assessment tools and capacity-building for factories
- Coordinating third-party audits under an aligned compliance umbrella
- Advocating for buyer alignment to reduce duplication and audit fatigue
- Introducing mandatory savings equivalent to at least two months’ salary, along with monthly deductions allocated towards workers’ service benefits, to help manage any future crisis
This initiative will make compliance smarter, simpler, and fairer—especially for SME factories that currently bear disproportionate cost and complexity.
What It Will Solve:
- The current burden of multiple audits and certifications, which increases costs and creates confusion
- Wasted time and resources due to overlapping buyer requirements
- Compliance fatigue among factories and misalignment in social governance metrics
- Difficulty in improving the ease of doing business within Bangladesh’s apparel sector
Manifesto:
10. Green Transformation with Business Value: Circularity, Renewable Energy, Decarbonization & Competitive Differentiation
Details:
We will implement a Green Transformation Framework that positions circularity, renewable energy, and decarbonization as strategic business tools, enhancing efficiency, buyer trust, and Bangladesh’s global sourcing appeal. With policy, technical, and financial support, we aim to help factories adopt sustainable practices that deliver measurable returns.
- Circular Economy Enablement: Guidance on recycling, jhut reuse, take-back systems, pilot projects; Circular Fashion Guideline; incentives and duty waivers; coordination with government and stakeholders.
- Renewable Energy Support: Assistance with solar/hybrid systems, shared rooftop investments, and access to green finance (e.g., IDCOL, climate funds).
- Decarbonization Roadmaps: Promote low-carbon manufacturing through energy audits, efficiency upgrades, and factory-level decarbonization plans aligned with global climate targets.
- Sustainability Tracking & Certification: Provide tools to track energy savings, waste reduction, and emissions; support green certifications and ESG marketing assets.
- Buyer-Aligned Positioning: Help factories translate green practices into sourcing advantages aligned with buyer ESG goals.
What It Will Solve:
- The belief that sustainability is a cost, not a business enabler
- Barriers to adopting circular and renewable solutions
- Buyer ESG pressure without practical factory-level support
- Missed opportunities to brand Bangladesh as a climate-smart sourcing hub
- Lack of structured pathways for emissions reduction and compliance
Manifesto:
11. Made in Bangladesh – Premium Edition: Repositioning Bangladesh in the Global Market
Details:
We will launch the ‘Made in Bangladesh – Premium Edition’ branding campaign to reposition Bangladesh from a low-cost manufacturer to a modern, sustainable, and value-driven sourcing destination. This initiative will focus on:
- Curated branding assets and storytelling content for premium global buyers
- Showcasing factories with innovation, ethical practices, and green credentials
- Supporting members in brand-building—professional photoshoots, catalogs, virtual showrooms, and sustainability profiles
- Partnering with EPB, embassies, trade bodies, and major events (e.g., sourcing fairs, fashion weeks) to carry the Bangladesh premium story to the world
- Promoting categories like high-end knitwear, outerwear, and circular collections through “design-forward” showcases
What It Will Solve:
- Perception of Bangladesh as a purely price-driven sourcing base
- Missed opportunities in premium and design-led buyer segments
- Lack of cohesive national branding around sustainability and innovation
- Limited storytelling support for individual factories trying to attract new markets
Manifesto:
12. Trade Diplomacy & Responsible Exit Policy
Details:
To safeguard Bangladesh’s long-term competitiveness in the global apparel market, we will pursue a dual approach: proactive trade diplomacy to secure preferential access and expand market reach, and a humane exit policy to support distressed factories in shutting down responsibly, protecting workers, and enabling entrepreneurial recovery.
- Strategic Trade Diplomacy
- Secure GSP/GSP+ extensions, post-LDC trade preferences, and duty-free access in key markets (EU, UK, Canada, Japan).
- Launch an Apparel Diplomacy Roadmap aligned with embassies to promote sourcing, diversification, and foreign investment.
- Establish a buyer accountability mechanism engaging with the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Bank, and embassies abroad. Diplomatic channels will be used to issue formal notices through Bangladesh’s embassies and high commissions, ensuring financial and reputational consequences for defaulting/non-paying buyers.
- Fair and Responsible Exit Policy:
We would introduce a formal Exit Policy ensuring:- Full settlement of worker dues
- Negotiated tax and debt resolution
- Support for reinvestment or restructuring
- Advocate for a “second chance” framework for failed but honest entrepreneurs.
- Establish a BGMEA closure protocol with banks and labor reps to guide responsible exits.
What It Will Solve:
- Protect Bangladesh’s trade status post-LDC graduation
- Prevent harmful, unregulated factory shutdowns and safeguard workers ‘ as well as owners’ rights
- Strengthen BGMEA’s global influence in trade and policy advocacy
