Economy
BGMEA Hosts Inaugural Career Summit & Fest 2023 to Bridge Opportunities in RMG Sector
In a pioneering move, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGMEA) launched the two-day BGMEA Career Summit & Fest 2023 with fervor on Saturday. Held at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, the event, supported by BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT), aims to connect graduates with opportunities within the ready-made garment (RMG) industry.
Faruque Hassan, BGMEA President, inaugurated the summit as the chief guest, marking the occasion with the presence of distinguished guests including Prof. Dr. S. M. Mahfuzur Rahman, Vice Chancellor of BUFT, Asif Ashraf, Director, BGMEA, Shafiur Rahman, Regional Operations Manager at G-Star RAW, and Md. Shafiqur Rahman, President of the Institution of Textile Engineers and Technologists.
Shahidullah Azim, BGMEA Vice President, welcomed attendees, and Abdullah Hil Rakib, BGMEA Director, moderated the event. The summit attracted more than 100 prominent RMG companies, providing a platform for graduates and students from various universities to explore career opportunities.
Industry experts, including leaders from participating companies, shared valuable insights during sessions on career prospects within the RMG sector. The summit also serves as a networking hub and allows job seekers to submit their CVs directly to BGMEA for potential recruitment by member factories.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan encouraged graduates to seize the opportunities presented by the summit, emphasizing the importance of learning, networking, and aligning skills with global market demands. He urged students to embrace new opportunities in the era of disruptive technologies and artificial intelligence, envisioning a future that contributes to personal growth and the sustainability of Bangladesh’s RMG sector.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday paid tribute to the Armed Forces Division by placing a floral wreath at its headquarters.
Prof Yunus, who visited the division as part of his official duties, laid the wreath to honor the sacrifices and dedication of the members of the Armed Forces.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, he signed the visitor’s book.
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Kazi Habibul Awal, along with four other election commissioners, announced their resignation during a press conference today at the Election Commission (EC) building. The resignation follows growing speculation and pressure.
CEC Awal stated, “In this changed situation, I and other commissioners have decided to step down. We’re handing over our resignation letters to the EC Secretary to send it to the President.” After submitting the letters, the CEC and some commissioners quickly left the premises, with no clear explanation for the absence of two election commissioners.
The resignations come amid increasing unrest tied to the registration of political parties such as Nagarik Oikya and Gono Odhikar Parishad. Sources revealed the CEC felt unsafe due to aggressive behavior from activists, prompting the decision to step down.
Protesters outside the EC building hurled shoes at vehicles carrying Election Commissioners Rashida Sultana, Md Alamgir, and Anisur Rahman as they left. Meanwhile, preparations for their exit had already been underway, with the commissioners reportedly relocating personal belongings from their offices.
The commission, appointed in February 2022 for a five-year term, had previously expressed confusion over demands for their resignation, maintaining they had conducted fair elections. However, internal discussions led to the collective decision to resign earlier than expected.
The government will now purchase LNG from the international spot market through open tender instead of negotiation.
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) in a meeting on Wednesday in principle approved a proposal in this regard.
Adviser of the interim government for Finance Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, who presided over the meeting, said that the government will procure LNG through open tender.
The Energy and Mineral Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources placed the proposal where it sought approval to import LNG from 23 listed companies in the international spot market.
The adviser said that though such 23 companies were enlisted by the previous Awami League government and signed Master Sales and Purchase Agreement, they will remain unchanged.
He said that instead of applying the Speedy Increase of Energy and Power Supply (Special) Act 2010, the interim government will follow the Public Procurement Rules 2008 to ensure the competitive bidding process.
“We don’t want to change them as we wanted to import LNG quickly, ensuring proper competition among the suppliers,” he told reporters.
Committee also approved another proposal in principle to sign a contract to import urea fertiliser for the 2024-25 fiscal year from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, on a G-to-G basis.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement (CCGP) in a meeting, presided over by the Adviser for Finance, approved 3 proposals for import of lentil and fertiliser.
As per the proposal, the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh will procure 10,000 metric tons (MT) of lentil from local firm Sahara Enterprise at a cost of Tk 98.20 crore with each kg priced at Tk 98.20.
The Commerce Ministry which moved the proposal on behalf of the TCB in the meeting mentioned in the proposal that the supplier firm was selected through open tender.
The CCGP approved two separate proposals of the Industries Ministry under which Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation will import 30,000 MT of bulk granular urea fertiliser from Fertiglobe Distribution Limited, UAE, under state to state contract at a cost of Tk 121.48 crore.
Each metric ton of fertiliser will cost $343.17.
Another 30,000 MT of bagged granular urea fertiliser will be procured from the local Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (Kafco) at a cost of Tk 116.99 crore with each metric ton costing $330.50.
