In a major move to strengthen the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) industry, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has signed separate agreements with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) to implement a large-scale skills development programme for the sector.
Funded by the Ministry of Commerce, the three-year initiative will train 22,815 workers, employees and mid-level industry officials during FY2026–27 to FY2028–29, addressing critical skill gaps while supporting productivity enhancement, technological advancement, compliance excellence and export competitiveness.
Under the programme, BGMEA and BKMEA will conduct intensive five-day training courses for garment workers and factory employees. BUFT, meanwhile, will be responsible for delivering a specialized six-month Postgraduate Diploma (PGD) programme designed specifically for mid-level professionals working in the apparel industry.
The diploma programme will focus on strengthening technical expertise, industrial engineering, production management, compliance, supply chain management, quality assurance and leadership capabilities to meet the evolving demands of the global apparel market.
The initiative also seeks to develop a stronger pool of skilled local professionals, reducing dependence on foreign expertise while improving operational efficiency across the industry.
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Another key objective is to enhance knowledge of international compliance standards and Rules of Origin, particularly those applicable to the European Union and other major export destinations.
The training will also encourage the adoption of modern machinery and manufacturing technologies, enabling factories to produce higher-value apparel that meets increasingly stringent global buyer requirements.
The agreement signing ceremony was held at the EPB headquarters in Dhaka in the presence of Md. Ruhul Amin, Director General of EPB and Head of CMC; Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of BGMEA; Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Executive President of BKMEA; and Prof. Dr. Engr. Ayub Nabi Khan, Vice Chancellor (Designate) of BUFT, along with senior officials from EPB, BGMEA, BKMEA and BUFT.
Speaking at the event, EPB leadership emphasized the importance of modernizing training modules, strengthening programme monitoring and ensuring that participants effectively apply their newly acquired skills in factory operations. Transparency, accountability and close supervision throughout the three-year implementation period were also highlighted as key priorities.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan stressed that training curricula should evolve alongside industry needs, suggesting greater emphasis on circular knitting machinery operation and compliance-related issues as Bangladesh’s apparel industry diversifies into more sophisticated products, including suits and value-added garments.
BKMEA Executive President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan expressed optimism that the renewed training initiative would benefit workers, supervisors and factory officials alike, helping the industry improve productivity while preparing for increasing global competition.
The programme builds on earlier collaboration between EPB and BUFT to develop skilled mid-level management for the apparel sector, reflecting Bangladesh’s continued commitment to strengthening human capital as the country prepares for post-LDC graduation challenges and seeks to maintain its position as one of the world’s leading apparel exporters.
By combining workforce upskilling with advanced professional education, the initiative is expected to enhance factory productivity, improve product quality, strengthen compliance performance and reinforce Bangladesh’s long-term competitiveness in the global textile and apparel supply chain.
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