DHAKA, June 25, 2026 (BSS) - The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) today signed 
separate agreements with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters 
Association (BGMEA), the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters 
Association (BKMEA) and the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) 
to strengthen the skills of workers and professionals in the country's ready-
made garment (RMG) sector.

The agreements were signed at a ceremony held at the EPB conference room in 
the capital this afternoon with EPB Vice-Chairman and Chief Executive 
Mohammad Hasan Arif in the chair, said a press release.

Under the initiative, a total of 22,815 workers, employees and mid-level 
officials of the RMG sector will receive training over the next three fiscal 
years-- 2026-27, 2027-28 and 2028-29.

BGMEA and BKMEA will conduct five-day training programmes for workers while 
BUFT will offer six-month Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) courses for officials. 

The entire programme will be financed through the Ministry of Commerce's 
training fund.

Speaking at the event, Mohammad Hasan Arif stressed the need to modernise 
training modules and improve their quality to meet the evolving demands of 
the global apparel industry.

He underscored the importance of effective monitoring to ensure that trainees 
are able to apply their newly-acquired knowledge in the workplace and 
contribute to the industry's growth.

Arif also emphasised maintaining transparency and accountability in the 
management of government-funded training programmes and called for close 
supervision by all participating organisations throughout the three-year 
implementation period.

The training initiative aims to boost productivity, facilitate the efficient 
use of modern machinery and enhance the production of high-quality goods 
capable of meeting international market standards.

The programme will also focus on increasing awareness of compliance 
requirements and Rules of Origin regulations in the European Union and other 
major export destinations.

Speaking on the occasion, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said training 
curricula should be updated to incorporate emerging industry needs, including 
circular machinery operations and compliance-related issues, particularly as 
the number of suit manufacturing factories continues to grow in Bangladesh.

BKMEA Executive President Fazle Shamim Ehsan expressed optimism that the 
resumption of the programme would benefit stakeholders at all levels, from 
factory workers to senior officials.

The initiative is also expected to help develop a pool of skilled local 
professionals, reducing dependence on foreign expertise and contributing to 
foreign exchange savings, he added.

Among others, EPB Director General Md. Ruhul Amin attended the signing 
ceremony.