Asef Kamal Pasha, Managing Director of Setara Group and Forum panel candidate, has presented a bold plan for leadership in the garment industry.

To take Bangladesh’s apparel sector further, the ‘FORUM’ panel, formed ahead of the upcoming BGMEA elections 2025-27, has come forward with a series of timely and practical commitments. Asef Kamal Pasha, a key figure of the panel and an experienced leader in the industry, said, the potential of our industry is enormous, but to turn that potential into reality, we need visionary planning and effective leadership.

He stated, the readymade garment industry is the main driving force of Bangladesh’s economy. A separate ministry dedicated to this sector is now a timely demand. It will help solve problems faster and implement development plans more efficiently.

According to the FORUM’s election pledges, they will work to ensure access to easy loans, training, and market linkage for new entrepreneurs. New entrepreneurs mean new opportunities. We want to bring the SME sector forward and increase employment, said Mr. Asef.

He also highlighted plans for automation in customs processes, protection of workers’ rights and safety, environment-friendly production, and expansion of exports to new destinations in the global market.

Emphasizing the importance of proper use of technology, he said, we will modernize the BGMEA Univicode and database. We will ensure that members can access services easily.

He further added, “Forum believes that only genuine exporters should become BGMEA members. There will be no compromise on this. We are committed to running the organization based on transparency and accountability.

Alongside adapting to changing global trade policies, he also promised to form zone-based crisis management cells and to introduce a respectful exit policy for Class 3 factories.

Finally, he said, we are not just making promises-we are presenting an action plan. One vote can determine the future of our industry. Let us elect the full Forum panel and be a part of this journey of progress.