Pranta Biswas, Special Correspondent, Textile Focus
Textile Focus & RedCarpet 365 Ltd. successfully organized their regular event “Tex Talk- talking about textile” on “Bangladesh Textile Industry & Industry 4.0”, on November 08, 2019 at International Convention City Bashundhara, Dhaka. This was held on the 03rd day of BIGTEX, Bangladesh Int’l Dyes & Chemicals Expo, Bangladesh Int’l Print, Pack & Sign Expo & Bangladesh Fabric & Yarn Expo organized by RedCarpet 365 Ltd. The panel discussion was moderated by – Prof. Dr. Engr. Md. Humaun Kabir, Pro Vice Chancellor, Northern University Bangladesh while the key note was presented by Maeen Md. Khairul Akter, Managing Editor of Textile Focus and Lecturer, Department of Textile Engineering Management, Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) with a presentation on “Bangladesh Textile Industry & Industry 4.0”. Distinguished panel speakers Faruque Hassan, Honorary Consul General of Greece to Bangladesh & Managing Director of Giant group; Engr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman CIP, President, The Institution of Textile Engineers & Technologist (ITET) & Managing Director, HAMS Group; Syed Mohammad Ismail, Country Head, Archroma (Bangladesh) Ltd; Md. Abdur Rashid, Managing Director, SGS Bangladesh Ltd; Dr. Md. Mahbubul Haque, Prof & Head, Department. of Textile Engineering, Daffodil International University were present as panel discussion members. M A Islam Riyadh, Editor, Textile Focus coordinated the session. Textile Focus shares the key discussions of the event bellow for our readers-
‘Challenges’ in RMG is now turning into ‘Crisis’
Faruque Hassan, Honorary Consul General of Greece to Bangladesh & Managing Director, Giant group
Mr. Faruque Hassan thinks, it’s time to discuss about present and future scenario of our textile and readymade garment sector. During last 20 years, very few new improved and value added products have been introduced, though we are in good pace of business track. Only 1-2% of raw cotton, basic core material of garments is produced in our country, rests are imported from other countries. In this condition still we are in 2nd largest garments exporters country. Our industry is always facing challenges, now those challenges has turned into crisis. In this situation industry 4.0 revolution is very much important to mitigate those crises. In order to create new market industrialists, technical persons, textile engineers, all have to prioritize new product design research and development. Coming out from basic product we must focus on special products like geo textile, industrial textile combining with jute products. Use of man-made fiber can help to improve our negative growth condition. Incentives for manmade fiber based product can take our industry export just as for cotton from 700 million $ to 6 billion $. Without Govt. support and ethical fair price from buyer, it would be tough to sustain new factories and as well as our garments industry.
Skilled manpower is the ultimate strength of our industry
Md. Shafiqur Rahman CIP, President, The Institution of Textile Engineers & Technologist (ITET) & Managing Director, HAMS Group
Engr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman said, Textile industry- the highest contributor to our economy is now at low ebb and textile leaders are tensed about ongoing huge factory shutdown incidents. Decreasing of sales volume relative to high production volume is the main cause of factory shut down. Diversified product launching, usage of manmade fibre, prioritizing small industry and skilled manpower can be the ultimate solution to overcome this tough situation. He believes, Bangladeshi entrepreneur are highly talented to adapt with any sustainability issue very firstly. Engagement of Government initiative can help the industry more to sustain. Already Govt. has established more than 40 textile institution comprising of B.Sc. and Diploma education. He urged to Government for ensuring quality education with updated curriculum and adequate research scope. He also raised his voice assuring proper honor for the Textile Engineers and stands for CADRE facility in Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS).
Industry 4.0 is about networking & navigation, partnership collaboration and supporting each other
Syed Mohammad Ismail, Country Head, Archroma (Bangladesh) Ltd.
Mr. Ismail disclosed his concern regarding crucial moments our industry passing at present. “We must realize the global impact of Industry 4.0 as a nation & also as an industry leader. If we fail to understand it then our industry can be shifted to other countries undoubtedly” said Mr. Ismail. During last 8 years in Europe per garments cost decreased almost 17% just by adopting industry 4.0 & using technological advancement. Artificial intelligence (AI) gives compound effect and makes big data navigation which makes panic in our industry. But our industry already has started moving with new terms. Few years ago our country was highest purchase destination by 47% buyers. According to 2019 report result has been declined. So the situation comes to a conclusion that buyers are thinking, it’s not about offshoring, not about nearshoring, it’s about on shoring. He expressed some responsibilities from technical head, marketing head and knowledgeable society to help industry by supporting knowledge. Otherwise not only industrialists but also whole society will suffer a lot.
Image crisis, an unpleasant truth about Bangladesh
Md. Abdur Rashid, Managing Director, SGS Bangladesh Ltd.
Mr. Rashid shared his experience, when a company from other country make business plan with Bangladesh, they fear thinking, “they would get right product at a right time or not”. It happens because of our image crisis. He said, Global companies like SGS Bangladesh Ltd. whose core activity is to ensure foreign buyer right manufacture from our country so that they will get right product at right time can play strong role to develop our industry image. Being concern and Liable to our textile society. Mr. Rashid offered the opportunity to visit SGS modern testing Lab and some free training course on global textile testing procedure for textile students from different universities who are studying textile engineering all over the country.
Automation doesn’t stimulate worker dismissal
Dr. Md. Mahbubul Haque, Prof. & Head, Dept. of Textile Engineering, Daffodil International University
Dr. Mahbubul Haque said automation is spreading all over the industry, but it doesn’t mean we need no workers. In this case he inspirits nothing to fear. Industry can’t be imagined without human workers. We obviously need more human but now highly skilled with technological and technical knowledge. He forced in his speech to focus on spinning & weaving and producing our own skilled expert to make the industry more sustainable. In universities there must be introduced latest technological improvement techniques.
Moderator Prof. Dr. Engr. Md. Humaun Kabir, Pro Vice Chancellor, Northern University Bangladesh consummated the session thanking all the panel members, guests & audience presented there. The panel discussion session ended with group photo session and celebrating 3rd anniversary of Textile Focus by cutting cake.
