High-level representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA) participated in the STAR Network’s Annual Board Meeting held in Humen Town, China on 17 November 2025. At this prestigious global forum, they proudly represented Bangladesh and highlighted the strength, progress, and future vision of the country’s ready-made garment industry.
Miran Ali, Spokesperson of the Sustainable Terms of Trade Initiative (STTI) and former Vice President of BGMEA, together with Shah Rayeed Chowdhury, Director of BGMEA, and Board Member of the STAR Network, delivered an insightful presentation. They outlined the industry’s major challenges, opportunities, and strategic priorities essential for sustaining long-term growth and competitiveness.
Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Executive President of BKMEA and Chairman of the STAR Network Board, emphasized the progressive evolution of Bangladesh’s apparel and knitwear sector and the industry’s ongoing efforts to align with shifting global market demands and strengthen its international standing.
The annual meeting brought together STAR Network member associations for constructive discussions on the Secretariat’s progress, joint initiatives, external partnerships, and strategic future directions. Representatives from each member association, along with expert speakers from Worldly, Cascale, and the International Apparel Federation (IAF), shared deep insights on global market conditions, technological advancements, and evolving challenges and opportunities across their respective regions.
The STAR Network (Sustainable Textile of the Asian Region) is an alliance of garment producer associations across Asia committed to fostering sustainability, innovation, and responsible growth in the textile and apparel industry. Current members include leading associations from Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Myanmar, Pakistan, and Vietnam. As part of this collaboration, BGMEA and BKMEA continue to play an active role in advancing sustainability, promoting climate action, and championing collective solutions to industry-wide challenges.
Representatives from member associations — including the China National Textile and Apparel Council (CNTAC), TAFTAC (Cambodia), VITAS (Vietnam), MGMA (Myanmar), PTEA (Pakistan), PHMEA (Pakistan), and TMA (Pakistan) — also took part in the annual board meeting.
