The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) have extended their long-standing collaboration by offering free training to members.

WRAP said it will enhance both parties' offerings and produce a series of training courses for BGMEA members, available at no charge and held either electronically or in-person, depending on circumstances, according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on March 11 at its headquarters in Virginia.

Additionally, BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology, the association's affiliate programme committed to the development of human resources in Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) and textiles industries, would support WRAP training for students, staff, and independent auditors. Additional commitments related to events and sponsorships are also covered by the agreement.

WRAP and the BGMEA stated in a joint statement that they have a "deep-seated commitment to ethical manufacturing," with combined activities in the social compliance arena, primarily focused on education and training.

Through certification and education, WRAP is an independent, non-profit team of worldwide social compliance specialists dedicated to promoting safe, lawful, humane, and ethical manufacturing.

Avedis Seferian, president and CEO of WRAP, said that the BGMEA's excellent efforts and leadership play a vital part in retaining Bangladesh's position as one of the world's leading garment sourcing destinations. They've had a great working relationship with them for a long time, and they're excited to renew and expand their collaboration to promote ethical and sustainable standards across the Bangladeshi apparel sector.

Faruque Hassan, president of the BGMEA, said that the strong ethical manufacturing standards of Bangladeshi factories are well recognised by companies and customers globally today. This relationship with WRAP will be critical in advancing Bangladesh's garment industry's successes in the area of social compliance and bolstering the industry's position as a preferred hub of ethical manufacturing around the world.

The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) and the British Fashion and Textile Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) recently announced plans to collaborate to increase the latter's access to the US market, improve purchasing practices, sustainability, and strengthen the two industries' partnership.