The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) has partnered with Bangladesh's apparel apex body- BGMEA- to explore opportunities and work together to increase the country's trade access to the US market and improve purchasing practices.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the AAFA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard on Friday, according to a statement.
As per the understanding, the AAFA will support Bangladesh in promoting its trade interests in US market, especially advocating for the withdrawal of GSP suspension to recognise the progress made in the local industry in the area of workplace safety, workers well-being and environmental sustainability.
They will also work on creating joint scoping missions to explore bilateral investment opportunities, particularly in Bangladesh's backward linkage textile industries, especially in the non-cotton segment.
AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar and BGMEA President Faruque Hassan shared the pen in Washington, D.C. during the annual AAFA Executive Summit which convened the AAFA Board of Directors and industry leadership, according to the statement.
The visiting BGMEA delegation led by its president also attended the meeting.
The delegation included BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, directors Abdullah Hil Rakib and Vidiya Amrit Khan, Chairman of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud and Director of Mahmud Group Gazi Mahbubul Alam.
According to the MoU, the two groups will explore opportunities and work together to increase trade access for Bangladesh to the US market, improve purchasing practices, build on the great work already done by the Bangladeshi industry on sustainability, and expand the strong partnership between the US and Bangladeshi industry.
Quoting BGMEA President Mr Hassan, the statement said, "Together, we aim to unlock potential of Bangladesh's RMG sector by enhancing competiveness through building capacities and embracing innovations and technologies, and facilitating trade access to the US market. We also aim to develop joint programmes that train workers and mid- and top- management, explore new CSR initiatives to support the well-being of the workers and communities, and more."
It quoted AAFA President and CEO Steve Lamar saying, "AAFA's comprehensive work ensures the continued success and growth of the global apparel and footwear industry, its suppliers, and its customers. With this in mind, agreements with strategic partners around the world help reduce trade barriers, encourage sharing of ESG best practices, and promote innovation on behalf of our members."
"Today's collaboration marks increased capacity building to support joint practices and trainings to advance supply chain sustainability, expand trade opportunities, improve the buyer-supplier partnership," the statement also said.
AAFA, a trusted public policy and political voice of the apparel and footwear industry, will also work closely with BGMEA to advocate for improved trade preferences and programmes between the United States and Bangladesh.
AAFA, which represents more than 1,000 world famous name brands, retailers, and manufacturers, along with BGMEA will pursue to improve the partnership between buyers and suppliers through responsible purchasing practices, added the statement.
They will also work collaboratively on capacity building to cut time and cost, to make supply chain more sustainable, via developing joint programmes to train workers and mid/top management, and a special collaboration with BGMEA Center for Innovation, Efficiency and OSH, and a collaborative arrangement between the Parties and BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT).
The two associations will inspire buyers-supplier collaboration to upscale product development and innovation capability to explore untapped segments of the export market, via joint research, coaching programmes, sharing of knowledge and information like fashion trend analysis and forecasting, matchmaking events, media campaign.
AAFA and BGMEA will collaborate to deepen discussion towards a unified code of conduct like symphonisation for social and environmental audits in manufacturing facilities, via setting up of a Joint Committee with clear terms of engagement.
They will also set up a corporate alliance on CSR initiatives to ensure well-being of the workers and communities.
munni_fe@yahoo.com