The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Thursday accorded a reception to 17 ministers, state ministers, advisers and Members of Parliament (MPs) elected from the country’s readymade garment (RMG) sector, underscoring the industry’s growing influence in national policymaking.
The reception was held at the Army Golf Club Dhaka in the capital, bringing together leaders from the apparel industry who have been elected in the 13th national parliament.
A total of 17 individuals were honoured, including 16 ministers, state ministers and MPs, along with one adviser to the Prime Minister.
Speaking at the event, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan urged the elected representatives to raise issues concerning the apparel sector in parliament alongside their respective constituency and national concerns.
“Our only request is that those elected from our industry speak not only about their local and national issues, but also about the challenges facing the RMG sector,” he said.
He emphasised that the garment industry remains the “lifeline” of Bangladesh’s economy, noting that its development is directly linked to the country’s overall economic progress. He also highlighted the need to address persistent industry challenges through parliamentary discussions.
Khan further called for policy support to ensure sustainable growth and diversification of the export basket, stressing that Bangladesh should not remain overly dependent on a single sector.
BGMEA First Vice-President Selim Rahman said the experience and expertise of the elected representatives would play a vital role in shaping industry-friendly policies in parliament.
“We believe your knowledge and wisdom will contribute to formulating business-friendly policies. The garment sector is the backbone of our industrial growth and a key driver of employment and economic development,” he said.
Among those honoured were Industries, Commerce, and Textiles & Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir; Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam; and Housing and Public Works Minister Zakaria Taher.
State ministers included Shama Obaed Islam (Foreign Affairs), Md Shariful Alam (Industries, Textiles and Jute), and Ahmed Sohel Manzur (Housing and Public Works), alongside Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin.
The MPs honoured at the programme included Zainul Abedin Faruk, Ershad Ullah, SM Faisal, Md Khaled Hossain Mahbub, Md Abul Kalam, Md Lutfur Rahman, Mohammad Zakir Hossain, Md Abdullah, Md Abdul Hannan, and Md Shahadat Hossain.
The event reflected the increasing representation of the garment sector in the country’s political landscape, with industry leaders expecting stronger advocacy for policy reforms and sustainable growth in the coming years.