The BGMEA has announced plans to establish an industrial park at Bausia in Munshiganj for the country’s apparel makers. This is a sensible and long overdue move to encourage relocation of industry away from central Dhaka.
The park, which is planned to be established on 532 acres, will provide modern safe facilities in brand new factories. The plans incorporate power, transport, child care, sewage, and waste facilities.
The BGMEA chief has said that small and medium entrepreneurs will get priority in the allotment of plots, as it is intended that non-complaint companies will be encouraged to move to this park. Over 1,700 applications have been received for the 432 units to be allocated in the proposed park.
The establishment of the park will be a boon to the garment industry for various reasons – it will not only ensure safety standards are maintained by the factory owners, but by ensuring facilities such as child care, it will help improve the working condition of garment workers. Establishment of a central effluent treatment plant will also help reduce the environmental impact of the industry.
The RMG sector faces growing competition from other manufacturing countries such as India, Cambodia and Vietnam. Building custom made facilities and establishing a new industrial zone is the type of bold step needed to improve conditions in the sector and to help win back buyer confidence in the Bangladeshi RMG sector.