The BGMEA has requested the government to provide 2-3 acres of land in various areas of Chattogram to establish “garment villages” focusing on compliance for small and medium-sized apparel businesses. This appeal was made during a meeting between the apex trade body and the Chattogram district administration at the deputy commissioner’s office in the city’s port area, as stated in a press release.
According to BGMEA officials, SME factories in the region are facing challenges in meeting compliance standards, especially in fire safety, environmental protection, and worker welfare, due to financial and infrastructural limitations. They emphasized that creating an industrial cluster would enable shared use of modern amenities, aiding factories in cost reduction, compliance adherence, and global market competitiveness, ultimately supporting export expansion.
The association highlighted a concerning decline in the number of garment factories in Chattogram, dropping from approximately 700 to about 300, posing a threat to the city’s status as a vital commercial center. Mohammad Zahedul Islam Mia, the deputy commissioner and district magistrate of Chattogram, reassured that the proposal would be prioritized, with necessary actions to be taken in collaboration with relevant ministries to evaluate feasibility and expedite implementation.
Key representatives including Selim Rahman, first vice-president of BGMEA; Mohammad Rafiq Chowdhury, vice-president; Md M Mohiuddin Chowdhury; Saif Ullah Mansur; and Enamul Aziz Chowdhury, directors, in addition to officials from pertinent departments, were also present during the meeting.