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Bangladesh labour

inspectorate goes digital

The transformation of the Bangladesh labour workplace and that the rights of workers are
inspectorate has taken a major step forward with the respected.”
launch of a digitalised Labour Inspection
Management Application (LIMA) system. LIMA will At the launch event in Dhaka, around 250 android
improve the collection, storage and analysis of tablets were handed over to the Department of
labour inspection data, benefiting workers and Inspections for Factories and Establishments (DIFE),
employers in all industrial sectors, particularly the to be used during inspections.
garment industry.
The development of LIMA has been supported by
Speaking at the launch of LIMA, Bangladesh minister the International Labour Organization’s Improving
of labour and employment Md Mujibul Haque said, Working Conditions in the Bangladesh Ready Made
“LIMA is a milestone in the march towards digital
Bangladesh and testament to the commitment of the Garment Sector programme funded by Canada, the
Government to ensure that every workplace is a safe Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

Readymade garments
SMEDA identifies 13 worth US$ 1.483 Billion

sectors for investment exported in seven months

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEDA) Chief Executive Officer Sher Ayub Khan said keeping in view the
importance of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), SMEDA had prepared a detailed report highlighting Readymade garments worth US$ 1.483 billion were valuing US$ 1.373 billion of same period of last year.
the avenues of investment by China and Pakistan. exported from the country during first seven months
of current financial year as compared the exports of During the period under review, about 215,202
The CPEC would open new vistas of development, prosperity and industrial growth in Pakistan and it will be the corresponding period of last year. During the metric tons of bed wear worth US$ 1.305 million
much supportive in increasing exports to China to manifolds, he added. period from July-January, 2017-18, exports of exported as compared the exports of 206,905
readymade garments grew by 13.93 percent as metric tons valuing US$ 1.236 billion of same period
SMEDA in its report had identified sectors in which business related investments could be made by Chinese compared the same period of last year, according of last year. According the data country earned US$
businesses. He revealed that a total of 13 sectors had been identified for investment and development and the data of Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. 454.537 million by exporting 113,049 metric tons of
these sectors had also been addressed in the SMEDA SME Development Plan which was a part of towels as compared the exports of US$ 449.998
Pakistan Vision 2025. About 22,160 thousand dozens readymade million and 107,678 metric tons of same period last
garments worth US$ 1.483 billion were exported year, it added.
The priority sectors are textile made ups and apparel, logistic, ICT and allied services, gems and jewellery, during the period under review as compared the
horticulture, construction, fisheries, energy, dairy and livestock, engineering, mineral, leather and exports of 19,623 thousand dozen valuing US$ It may be recalled here that textile group exports
tourism, he disclosed. 1.301 billion of same period of last year. Meanwhile, surged by 7.728 percent and was recorded at US$
about 62,528 thousand dozens of knitwear worth 7.728 billion in last seven months as compared the
US$ 1.555 billion exported in last seven months, exports of US$ 7.210 billion of same period of
which were recorded at 60,550 thousand dozens last year.

February/March 2018 February/March 2018