Rubana Huq: Rebuilding image of RMG sector my top priority
Rubana Huq - Entrepreneur, Author, Columnist, Speaker
My top most priority in leading the apparel sector will be rebuilding the image of the country’s apparel sector not only in the global but also in domestic spheres as the price negotiation of products depends on image, Rubana Huq, managing director of Mohammadi Group, told the Dhaka Tribune’s Ibrahim Hossain Ovi in an interview
Rubana Huq is leading Sammilita-Forum panel in BGMEA biennial election for 2019-22 slated for April 6. If Sammilita-Forum wins with majority, Rubana will be leading the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) as its president for the next two years.
What are the challenges facing the industry and what will be your top priority if you are elected BGMEA president?
Bangladesh’s apparel industry is facing various challenges and it is going through a transitional time. Among the main challenges are rebuilding image of the apparel sector, setting prices of products, rationalizing the wages and developing skills.
Since I am leading the election as a panel leader and if my team wins, I will focus on rebuilding the image of the country both at home and abroad as negotiation over the price of products hugely depends on it.
Among other challenges are productivity and innovation, which will be another top priority so that the industry can move forward.
Technological developments are taking place in the industry. What steps will you take in adopting the new technology?
As we all know, this is a world where artificial intelligence sits on boards of companies, even in Asia. While fourth industrial revolution (4IR) is knocking at the door. Industry is changing and taking new shape. There are lots of scopes in the area of information technology. I will try to come up with measures that will help industry people adopt the latest technology.
Fair prices of goods are much talked-about issues. How will you ensure a better price from the buyers?
It is high time we called us competitive and not the cheapest. Bangladesh’s image, so far, has been only that of the supplier of the “cheapest” products.
Though the global brand’s trust in our manufacturing capabilities is at a lower rung of the ladder, I feel Bangladeshi manufacturers can offer multiple products.
By analyzing the fast changing face of fashion and rapidly changing consumer patterns, steps to produce value added goods will definitely help us in determining the next level of production focus.
If we can produce valued added and quality goods, the buyers will pay more while more emphasis will be put on increasing price negotiation skills.