Momen: Textile sector backbone of Bangladesh’s industrial efforts

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen said the textile sector has been the backbone of Bangladesh"s industrial efforts in one way or another.

"The spinning capacity has increased four times in 10 years, which is a commendable job," he said, adding that the textile industry employs almost 4 million people in Bangladesh and 45% of the industrial employment is the result of the textile industry.

Momen said they are now aiming at high end value additions and their objective is to secure the high plateaus of the "brand ecosystem" and of the "brand premium."

The foreign minister was addressing the inaugural session of the Magical Threads runway held at a city hotel on Friday night.

The Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, ambassadors, and high commissioners were present, among others. 

Momen said: “Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman could inspire millions of unarmed civilians to rise and fight against one of the most well organized marauding bandits from Pakistan and finally claim our freedom. 

“Because he could successfully engage the power of the mind, and the strength of magical threads which weaved the very human stories with one vision – that of freedom," he added.

The foreign minister remembered Bangabandhu with the deepest respect on his birth centenary and on the eve of the Golden Jubilee of the Independence of Bangladesh.

Following the footsteps of her father, his daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has also woven a vision for the nation, Momen said.

"Vision 2021 has already been achieved – emerging as a middle-income country with comprehensive digital leadership. Now we have Vision 2041 – to emerge as a developed nation. Our target is to ensure that our people and indeed people anywhere in the world live with a modicum of dignity and happiness and peace," he said.

At present, Bangladesh ranks second in the world as the largest apparel producer with a $20 billion business in which 80% is earned by exporting goods.

Momen said his ministry is particularly tasked with two initiatives – economic diplomacy and public diplomacy.

He said the narrative with which Bangladesh is defined must now reflect the changed realities and the changing circumstances.

Momen wished that the Magical Threads spread all the magic that it promises to create for the betterment of all the people that it claims to represent.