Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president S M Mannan Kochi on Sunday urged continued support from the European Union and its member states to address challenges confronting Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry and to ensure the country’s sustained growth.

At a meeting with a high-level EU delegation, BGMEA president also discussed over extending the transition period from the Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative to Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) Plus, bolstering industry compliance through capacity building, and promoting fair pricing and ethical sourcing practices among European buyers.

Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley, ambassador of Denmark Christian Brix-Moller, ambassador of Germany Achim Troster, ambassador of Italy Antonio Alessando, ambassador of Sweden Alexandra Berg Von Linde, Chargé d’affaires of the Netherlands Embassy Thijs Woudstra, commercial attaché at the Spanish Embassy Esther Pérez Tahoces and trade advisor to EU Delegation to Bangladesh Abu Syed Belal were prest at the meeting held at BGMEA Complex in the city.

During the meeting, BGMEA president provided an overview of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, emphasizing recent developments in workplace safety, and workers’ well-being.

He has called on the EU to continue its support for Bangladesh’s RMG industry, particularly by extending the transition period from the EBA to GSP Plus.

This extension is crucial to ensure that Bangladesh can sustain its economic growth even after graduating from the Least Developed Country category, he said.

Kochi sought EU support to enhance the industry’s ability to meet due diligence directives and other emerging protocols.

He urged the EU envoys to encourage European buyers to adopt fair pricing and ethical sourcing practices.

BGMEA leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the partnership with the EU on shared goals.

BGMEA senior vice-president Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, vice-presidents Arshad Jamal Dipu, Md Nasir Uddin, Miran Ali and Abdullah Hil Rakib, directors Asif Ashraf, Md Imranur Rahman, Shovon Islam, Haroon Ar Rashid, Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Md Ashikur Rahman Tuhin, Shams Mahmud, Abrar Hossain Sayem, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Shehrin Salam Oishee, Md Nurul Islam, Saifuddin Siddiquie Sagar, Md Rezaul Alam Miru, and chairman of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO and Labour Affairs A N M Saifuddin also attended the meeting.