DHAKA, Oct 30, 2025 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the National Productivity Organization (NPO), under the Ministry of Industries, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen cooperation in boosting productivity, technological advancement, and competitiveness in Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) sector.

The MoU was signed today by Mr Joarder Mohammed Hosne Quamar Alam, Director of BGMEA, and Md Nurul Alam, the President of NPO, at a formal ceremony held in NPO. 

The partnership aims to prepare the RMG industry for Industry 4.0 transformation, focusing on building skills, quality, and agility alongside cost competitiveness.

Under the agreement, BGMEA and NPO will jointly organize training programs, seminars, and consultancy services every year to promote productivity and operational excellence through 5S, Kaizen, and Lean Manufacturing practices. 

Additionally, both organizations will select three RMG factories annually as model enterprises to implement productivity enhancement pilot projects with technical support from NPO, said a press release.

The MoU also includes provisions for joint research initiatives and collaboration on programs supported by the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) to accelerate innovation and capacity building in Bangladesh's manufacturing sector.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, representatives from BGMEA emphasized the urgency of embracing Industry 4.0 amid global tariff shifts, technological disruptions, and evolving supply chain dynamics. "Bangladesh can no longer rely solely on cost advantage; we must focus on quality, skills, agility, and innovation to remain globally competitive," said BGMEA Director Mr Hosne Quamar Alam.

Through this collaboration, BGMEA and NPO will work together to ensure a justified transition towards smart manufacturing by integrating IoT, digital tools, and productivity-driven innovation across the RMG value chain.

This milestone partnership reflects BGMEA's continued commitment to advancing productivity, technology adoption, and human capital development, paving the way for a sustainable and competitive future for Bangladesh's RMG industry.