GTZ PROGRESS

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufactures and Exporters Association (BKMEA) are the two largest business associations in Bangladesh. They are also the premier service providers for RMG exporters.

PROGRESS has been working with BKMEA and BGMEA over the last two years. The main objectives of this partnership are to improve the service capacity of associations especially in the following areas:

• Social compliance and eco-efficiency
• Productivity and skills development
• Knowledge and information management
• Image building and promotion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities

Major Achievements

• BGMEA and BKMEA social compliance monitors have been trained in social and environmental standards and are now training factory compliance officers and employees.
• BKMEA’s Productivity Improvement Cell (PIC) and BGMEA’s Productivity Improvement Department have been set up. The PIC is conducting training programs and providing advisory support to member factories on productivity improvement techniques.
• The research and development departments of BKMEA and BGMEA are fully functioning. Moreover, CSR guidelines have been drafted and are used for the promotion of CSR activities.