Textile sector should focus on product diversification : Muktadir

Commerce, Industries, and Textiles & Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today (16 May) said Bangladesh's textile and ready-made garment (RMG) sector should place the highest priority on sustainable production systems, innovation, research, and product diversification to maintain long-term global competitiveness.

"Sustainability is no longer merely a slogan; it is an essential condition for the survival and future growth of the industry," he said while addressing the "Grand Launching Event of Textile Innovation Exchange" as the chief guest held at a hotel in the capital today (16 May).

The minister said Bangladesh has limited natural resources and therefore electricity, gas, and water must be used efficiently in industrial production. 

He stressed the need for energy conservation, water recycling, circular production systems, and improved management practices to ensure optimum utilization of resources, said a press release.

Muktadir said although Bangladesh's RMG industry has achieved remarkable success over the past decades, exports still remain heavily dependent on a limited range of products. 

He warned that the country would face difficulties sustaining its competitive edge globally unless it moves quickly towards higher value-added products such as sportswear, man-made fibre-based apparel, and technical textiles.

Referring to the European market and the challenges following Bangladesh's graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category, he said the country must become more proactive in diversifying products and exploring new export destinations. 

At the same time, greater emphasis should be placed on research, design development, skills enhancement, and the adoption of modern technologies to take the industry to a new height, he added.

Highlighting the contribution of the textile sector to the country's economic development, the minister said the industry has become one of the main driving forces of industrialization and export growth by generating large-scale employment with relatively low investment. 

He noted that the sector still holds immense untapped potential if supported by proper planning and innovation.

On the issue of reopening closed industrial units, the minister said the government would not spend money on non-functional factories while keeping outdated machinery unchanged. 

Instead, industry-specific solutions would be adopted, including the development of industrial parks, public-private partnership (PPP) initiatives, and lease-based investment models to attract fresh investment.

He said decisions in this regard would be taken in consultation with experienced private sector entrepreneurs.

The minister also said promising sectors such as leather, light engineering, and shipbuilding would be revitalized through modern technology, skills development, and international cooperation.

Welcoming the Textile Innovation Exchange initiative, Muktadir said collaboration between industry and academia, along with the exchange of experiences among entrepreneurs, would help make Bangladesh's textile sector more modern, environmentally friendly, and competitive. The government, he added, would continue to support such initiatives.

Among others, Professor Dr Engineer Md Julhas Uddin spoke as guest of honour, while Enamul Haque Khan, Professor Dr Engineer Ayub Nabi Khan, Md Abdul Hamid, and Engineer Md Enayet Hossain addressed the event as special guests.

Engineer Md Shamsuzzaman delivered the welcome speech. Dr Md Hasib Uddin and Tareq Amin also spoke at the programme, while Engineer Ehsanul Karim Kaisar delivered the concluding remarks.

Later, the minister inaugurated the Innovation Textile Exchange platform and visited different stalls at the venue.