The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged the government to allocate 2–3 acres of land across different parts of Chattogram to establish compliance-based “garment villages” for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the apparel sector.
The proposal was presented at a meeting with the Chattogram district administration at the deputy commissioner’s office, according to a press release.
BGMEA leaders said SME factories in the region are facing difficulties in meeting compliance standards—particularly in fire safety, environmental protection, and worker welfare—due to limited financial and infrastructural capacity.
They noted that developing planned industrial clusters would enable shared access to modern facilities, helping factories reduce operational costs, improve compliance, and enhance competitiveness in global markets.
The association also expressed concern over a sharp decline in the number of garment factories in Chattogram, which has dropped from around 700 to nearly 300 in recent years.
Mohammad Zahedul Islam Mia, deputy commissioner and district magistrate of Chattogram, assured that the proposal would be given priority, with relevant authorities working together to assess feasibility and accelerate implementation.
Industry leaders believe that such cluster-based development could play a key role in sustaining SME participation in Bangladesh’s export-oriented apparel sector while ensuring compliance with evolving global standards.
