Experts on Wednesday emphasised creating a resilient supply chain for the ready-made garments (RMG) sector to overcome disasters that induces disruptions.
They made the observation in a workshop at the NEC Conference Room of Planning Commission in the capital, said a press release.
National Resilience Programme (NRP) organised the workshop to disclose the findings of a study on supply chain resilience of RMG sector in Bangladesh.
Planning Minister M A Mannan inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest, while State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman attended the programme as the special guest.
Md Ashadul Islam, senior secretary of the Planning Division, presided over the workshop.
Md Mohsin, secretary of the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Dr Rubana Huq, president of BGMEA, Van Nguyen, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, Lisa Andersson, First Secretary of the Embassy of Sweden, Khandker Ahsan Hossain, chief of Programming Division, and Dr Nurun Nahar, project director of NRP-Programming Division, took part in the workshop.
Sharing the study findings, the NRP consultants suggested developing a strategy for disaster resilient supply chain, adopting riverine route as an alternative, and developing affiliated structure and facilities along Dhaka-Chittagong corridor to efficiently transport RMG products.
The study also suggested introducing mandatory design standard, including implementation of National Building Codes for constructing infrastructure, RMG factories and other civil work.
Besides, the study recommended bringing necessary regulatory reforms, establishing institutions, and conducting studies for mainstreaming disaster and climate change-related risks into RMG supply chain.
Taking part in the discussion, Khondker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), suggested assessing the vulnerability of RMG factories and making risk profile for risk-informed investments.
Dr Rubana Huq said that the supply chain needs must be addressed with a broader perspective, including the interest of the workforce engaged in the RMG sector. She also emphasised developing economic resilience for the RMG sector to address emerging shocks.
Lisa Anderson asserted that women being an indispensable part of the RMG industry in Bangladesh, gender issues need to be considered for enhancing resilience of RMG sector.
Planning Minister M. A. Mannan suggested focusing on resilience in every sector to provide wholesome solution as a nation. He agreed on the point to focus on the resilience of workers related to the RMG sector for ensuring the resilience of the whole sector.
The minister emphasised promoting social dialogue engaging the stakeholders for overcoming the issues, including the supply chain resilience.
