BGMEA, Aus Kmart discuss coop to build sustainable RMG

A delegation from Kmart, largest single apparel buyer from Australia, met with the President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mahmud Hasan Khan, on Monday. UNB

Dhaka, Aug - A delegation from Kmart, Australia’s largest single apparel buyer, met with the President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mahmud Hasan Khan, on Monday to discuss opportunities for collaboration in building a sustainable garment industry.

The meeting took place at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka.

The Kmart delegation included Tristram Gray, head of corporate affairs; Albert Young, head of ethical sourcing; and Obaid Gazi, ethical sourcing manager for Kmart Australia & New Zealand, as well as targeting Australia. Senior officials from BGMEA, including Senior Vice President Inamul Haque Khan and other Vice Presidents and Directors, also attended the meeting.

During the discussion, Kmart's Tristram Gray stated that the company values its long-standing business relationship with Bangladesh and is committed to increasing collaboration in new areas in the future. The discussions focused on BGMEA's priorities for building a sustainable industry and how Kmart can support these initiatives.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted that sustainability is a key priority for the association. He noted that his board-initiated dialogues with all worker federations to foster good industrial relations and shared other measures BGMEA has taken for the welfare of workers. He also spoke about BGMEA’s ongoing efforts to enhance the industry's competitiveness through technological development, innovation, and skills enhancement.

The BGMEA president emphasized the need for a Unified Code of Conduct for the garment industry and sought Kmart's cooperation in its formulation.

He explained that a unified code would simplify the audit process, reduce pressure on factories, and make the industry more ethical, sustainable, and responsible.

Both parties also discussed strategies to increase garment exports from Bangladesh to Australia, which is considered a promising market due to Bangladesh's duty-free market access.

The BGMEA President urged Kmart to strengthen its partnerships with suppliers to help them diversify their product offerings and enhance production capabilities. Other topics included organizing trade fairs and sending trade delegations to Australia to expand the market. The Kmart delegation offered to facilitate communication between any BGMEA trade delegation and Australian government policymakers.

Kmart has been sourcing garments from Bangladesh for a long time. BGMEA requested Kmart to help promote the strengths, capabilities, and sustainable development of Bangladesh’s garment industry. - UNB