BKMEA at a Glance

The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA), as apex the trade body, represents the Bangladesh knitwear sector. Established in 1996 by a group of manufacturers, BKMEA currently is representing approximately 2520 knitwear member factories. Since then, it has playing significant role in promoting and advancing the Bangladesh knitwear sector in the global apparel market.

BKMEA continues to emphasize innovation and creativity and makes every possible effort to formulate strategic and up-to- date sector-based policy-making and advocacy. At the same time, it diligently provides member services. All of these efforts have led to the rapid growth of the Bangladesh knitwear industry.

Over the pace of time, BKMEA has evolved into a world-class organization. As it helps promote business growth and sustainability and diligently addresses environmental and labour standards issues in its member factories by aligning with global trends and best practices.

Furthermore, the association continues to collaborate and team up with local and international stakeholders, including government, development partners, and agencies, to enhance and sustain competitiveness and build the Bangladesh knitwear sector image in the global knitwear market.

Now, it is being recognized globally as a more than an Association.

Mission of BKMEA

Secure and expand Bangladesh's knitwear exports globally through strategic research, trade policy analysis, and market insights, and safeguard the sector's social compliance issues and environment.

Vision of BKMEA

Lead the knitwear sector's growth through innovative research and policy to ensure its global competitiveness and contribute to national economic prosperity.

How BKMEA Runs

BKMEA is governed by a Board, which consists of 35 members led by the President. The Board is formed by one executive president, seven vice presidents, and 27 directors, who are elected for two years through a democratic and transparent process. There is also a provision for appealing election results as a part of ensuring fairness and accountability of the process. In addition to the core committee, various subcommittees in the electoral board contribute to the sustainable growth of the knitwear sector. The Board is assisted by a secretariat of experienced officials who formulate and execute vital policies and programs. A strict democratic norm and a code of conduct are maintained in the election process of BKMEA.

Objectives of BKMEA:

BKMEA’s motto is to stay afloat in international competition and markets with chic and elegant quality products. To do this, BKMEA always works to improve the process of sustainable capacity-building of its member factories and ensure high-quality knitwear products in line with the preferences and needs of the global fashion market.

To lead the world knitwear market, BKMEA continues to work toward diversifying the export market and ensuring better access to the country’s knitwear products to both the traditional as well as non-traditional markets, including EU (27), USA, China, South Africa, Japan, Brazil, Gulf for cooperation countries(GCC) bloc, and other new and emerging countries. Apart from this, BKMEA also has several objectives:

  • To promote & expand Global Market share for Knitwear manufacturers in Bangladesh.
  • To Provide policy support for the sustainable development of the Knitwear sector.
  • To bolster the capacity building process within the Sector.
  • To raise awareness of labour rights and environmental compliance, structural integrity, and fire safety issues among the workers and knitwear Entrepreneurs.
  • To introduce international standards in the Knitwear sector of Bangladesh.
  • Formulate sector-friendly policy in consultation with the government of Bangladesh and other stakeholders.

Major Activities of BKMEA

Since its inception in 1996, BKMEA has been providing different valuable existing and ever-arising services and support to the member factories of the Knitwear sector of Bangladesh for their continuous development. It plays a crucial role in policy-making processes like formulation of national knitwear policy, export policy, import policy, import policy acts, textile policy, industrial policy, national perspective development policy, labor, etc., framing sector-support rules, market expansion programs, research initiatives, productivity campaigns, and making the green and eco-friendly industrial belt. The activities for the member organization of BKMEA also include:

  • Product diversification and market promotion align with the global apparel market's demand patterns and fashion trends.
  • Consultancy for Green Industry Development at the factory level.
  • Consultancy for Social and Environmental Compliance-based factory initiatives.
  • Research and development activities to cater to the needs of the recent trends in the global apparel Market.
  • In-house up skilling and reskilling training program for workers and mid-level management to raise their productivity in line with Industry 4.0.
  • Provide training and assistance, using a pool of expertise in civil, electrical, mechanical, and architecture engineers, to ensure factory buildings the structural and fire safety.
  • One-stop service point regarding UD/UP services.
  • Other necessary services and supports whenever deemed as necessary.

TIN Number of BKMEA: 171908778023