German envoy hails Bangla garment quality

25 Feb '16

3 min read

Bangladesh is a reliable sourcing destination for Germany consumers for its high quality garment products, German Ambassador to Bangladesh Thomas Prinz has said.

“We are very happy that Bangladesh is a reliable source for high quality garment in Germany,” Prinz told reporters at a press conference held at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) head quarters in Dhaka on Tuesday.

The press conference was held to announce the BGMEA-BUFT Journalism Fellowship-2014, under which three winners and a group of journalists will attend a training programme on business journalism in Germany at the end of this month.

Germany is the second largest single export destination for Bangladesh's garment products after the US, accounting for $4.33 billion in fiscal 2014-15, according to the Export Promotion Bureau. Prinz said Germany will support Bangladesh in its aim to double its apparel exports.

“We want to support Bangladesh in its endeavour to establish a sustainable, compliant, social and profitable RMG sector,” said Prinz.

He said the people in Germany are not abreast with the latest developments in Bangladesh's garment sector with regards to workplace safety and labour rights.

“The Rana Plaza incident is still fresh in their minds, even though it has been three years since the accident. A lot has been done in the sector since.”

He cited the emerging trend of green garment factories in Bangladesh as one of the positive developments that the journalists should highlight during their visit to Germany.

“The journalists must provide information on what's going on in Bangladesh.”

Prinz also urged them to report back on the constraints of the German retailers on issues such as the fair price.

“We do not even find fair prices for products that are produced in Germany -- there is a lot of competition between the brands. So, there are constraints and the journalists have to report on that,” he said.
In Germany, a top-selling T-shirt or jeans are selling at low prices, according to Prinz.

He, however, said the real value of the work on those products that are made in Bangladesh and sold in Germany should not be so low. Prinz conceded that changing consumers' behavior is extremely difficult. (SH)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India

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