About the project

Partner: SSGP, Economic Relation Division, Ministry of Finance.
Project duration: March 2023 – December 2023.

After the graduation from the LDC category in 2026, most of the LDC-specific International Support Measures (ISMs) will be withdrawn, which will create some challenges. In addition, new obligations will become mandatory as developing country. For all these, upscaling, capacity building, human resource development, productivity enhancement, technological upgradation, investment attraction, backward and forward linkage development in various sectors will be essential. So, the main objective of the study is upscaling the RMG sector in order to enhance overall competitiveness of the sector in the context of LDC graduation.
This project intends to contribute an analysis of the current global export trend of RMG products made of man- made fibre (MMF) and cotton fabrics, with a focus on Bangladesh's export trend and potential export gap. It identifies policy, technology, management, and investment gaps in the use of MMF and cotton fabrics in the RMG industry in Bangladesh and highlights the skill gaps between local and foreign managers. The research provides recommendations for strategies, policies, and support to facilitate the transformation of producing RMG from cotton fabrics to MMF, moving from low to high value-adding products, enhancing productivity, and encouraging green production to ensure sustainability. Finally, it proposes a time-bound action plan with measurable indicators to implement the recommended policies and strategies.

Project activities

Validation Workshop: Study on Upscaling the RMG Sector

RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque delivered the keynote presentation on “Market Access, Comparative Advantage and Export Diversification and Upscaling the RMG Sector”, in a Validation Workshop on Final Draft Study Reports, jointly organised by the Support to Sustainable Graduation Project (SSGP), ERD in association with Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and PRI, held on 31 January 2024 at Windy Town, BICC, Dhaka 1207. Mr Mohammad Tofazzel Hossain Miah, Principal Secretary to HPM, Prime Minister’s Office, was present as Chief Guest. Mr Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, and Mr Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, were present as Special Guests while Mr Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky, Secretary, ERD, was present as Chair.

Final report here.

Workshop: Study on Upscaling the RMG Sector

On 8 November 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Economics Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, jointly organised a workshop. In the event, Ms. Sharifa Khan, Senior Secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), Ministry of Finance, was present as Chief Guest. Mr. Farid Aziz, Additional Secretary, Economics Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, was present as Chair. Ms Nasrin Sultana, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Mr Asif Ashraf, Director, BGMEA, and Mr Md Akhter Hossain Apurbo, Vice President, BKMEA, were present as panelists. RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque delivered the keynote presentation.

Inception Workshop: Study on Upscaling the RMG Sector

On 10 May 2023, Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID) and Economics Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, jointly organized a Workshop. In the event, Mr Farid Aziz, Additional Secretary, Economics Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, was present as chair & Moderator. Mr Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, Mr Muhammad Ziaur Rahman, Joint Secretary General, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Mr Md Hafizur Rahman, Former DG, WTO Cell, Ministry of Commerce, were present as panelists. RAPID Chairman Dr M A Razzaque, delivered the keynote presentation.