BGMEA to set up world class lab for apparel chemical tests

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=135509

BGMEA to set up world class lab for apparel chemical tests
Refayet Ullah Mirdha

Bangladesh is going to launch a world class testing firm for the first time in the country to conduct chemicals and dyes tests of exportable apparel items, said Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

At present, the apparel exporters test the samples of exportable goods from different foreign testing firms for certification.

BGMEA will sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Spanish giant clothing retailer brand Inditex at Luck AÑO in Spain on April 29.

“Inditex will provide all technical and other supports to build the testing firm at BGMEA office,” Murshedy said.

Inditex Group, one of the world’s largest fashion retailers, has 4.607 stores in 74 countries.

The group comprises more than 100 companies operating in textile design, manufacturing and distribution.

The BGMEA leader also said exporters will have to pay $30 for every test from the proposed testing firm. The charges payable to some recognised testing firms like Bureau Veritas, SGS and ITS range from $200 to $300 per test.

“The country will immensely be benefited by the proposed testing laboratory, as time and cost for such tests will come down significantly,” Murshedy said.

Professor Dr AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice-chancellor of Dhaka University, Abdus Salam Murshedy, all four vice presidents of BGMEA.—Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, Md. Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Faruque Hassan and Md. Siddiqur Rahman— are scheduled to attend the MoU signing ceremony in Spain.

Teachers, students and experts from the Department of Chemistry at Dhaka University will cooperate in setting up the testing firm.