Online data maping for RMG begins

‘Digital RMG Factory Mapping’ project launched, public map to go live in mid-2018

A project to frame ‘Digital RMG Factory Mapping in Bangladesh’ (DRFM-B) has recently been launched to prove real-time and credible factory data to the stakeholders of the industry. Through this initiative, a foreign buyer can access all types of information, such as the factory database, from any corner of the world.

The project is the first-of-its-kind attempt to digitally map the entire garments sector in Bangladesh, and marks a transformative industry shift towards greater transparency.

Talking about digital mapping, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Siddiqur Rahman told The Independent that a project to frame DRFM-B has been launched to provide authentic and trustworthy factory data to the industry stakeholders through an interactive online platform such as Google Maps.

He also said every kind of information, including the factory database—which comprises names, locations, types of products, worker numbers, country exports, hospitals and trade union and fire services facilities—would be provided by the map. A foreign buyer can access all types of information from any corner of the world, he added.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue’s (CPD’s) distinguished fellow, Mustafizur Rahman, told The Independent that digital RMG factory mapping would ensure four things: transparency, accountability, branding and good governance in the readymade garments (RMG) sector. These four aspects also reflect the commercial value of a business, he noted.

Talking about accountability, he said this would definitely help enhance buyers’ confidence because real-time information would easily be visible through this system and the accountability framework of entrepreneurs would also be ensured.

As Bangladesh is moving to produce high-value products, this digital mapping would act as a buyer’s tour or guide for the buyers, he added.

Rahman said retailers sometime face difficult questions from the customers. This would help mitigate the challenges. “If this system is launched, then all the information would be transparent and verified, and no confusion would arise afterwards.”

Rahman suggested the implementation

of the final version of the map as quickly as possible.

DRFM-B project manager Parveen S Huda said, “This project will send a strong signal to all stakeholders that transformative change is happening within the readymade garments sector.”

She also said, “Through its mapping and relationship building, DRFM-B will fuel advancements in Bangladesh's garments industry, inspire shared responsibility, responsible sourcing and collective action, and build upon pre-existing improvement efforts through informed decision-making.”

She explained the expected outcome of this mapping project, adding that this would be an interactive web-based map consisting of different types of information about factories. This would help establish transparency and awareness, and ultimately lead to long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the country’s RMG sector.

“We anticipate a lot of challenges as we try to implement this unique project. We seek the support of all stakeholders present here today to help us achieve this daunting task,” she added.

Talking to The Independent, e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) president Razib Ahmed said, “It is a great initiative by the government, but the final version in which the map would be showcased is expected to be completed by 2021.”

As a part of internet branding, garment companies can make their own videos and place them on the website or YouTube. YouTube is considered one of the top three watchable websites at this moment.

About the challenges, he said, “Unfortu-nately, we couldn’t create any business portal yet where all the business information would be available in a single platform. Therefore, this digital map will definitely help the stakeholders find a detailed industry-wide database of factories.”

The public map will go live in mid-2018 with the Dhaka cluster. The final version of the map—showcasing all 20 Bangladeshi garment-producing districts—is expected to be completed by mid-2021.

Online data maping for RMG begins

Digital RMG Factory Mapping project launched, public map to go live in mid-2018

A project to frame Digital RMG Factory Mapping in Bangladesh (DRFM-B) has recently been launched to prove real-time and credible factory data to the stakeholders of the industry. Through this initiative, a foreign buyer can access all types of information, such as the factory database, from any corner of the world. The project is the first-of-its-kind attempt to digitally map the entire garments sector in Bangladesh, and marks a transformative industry shift towards greater transparency. Talking about digital mapping, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Siddiqur Rahman told The Independent that a project to frame DRFM-B has been launched to provide authentic and trustworthy factory data to the industry stakeholders through an interactive online platform such as Google Maps. He also said every kind of information, including the factory databasewhich comprises names, locations, types of products, worker numbers, country exports, hospitals and trade union and fire services facilitieswould be provided by the map. A foreign buyer can access all types of information from any corner of the world, he added. The Centre for Policy Dialogues (CPDs) distinguished fellow, Mustafizur Rahman, told The Independent that digital RMG factory mapping would ensure four things: transparency, accountability, branding and good governance in the readymade garments (RMG) sector. These four aspects also reflect the commercial value of a business, he noted. Talking about accountability, he said this would definitely help enhance buyers confidence because real-time information would easily be visible through this system and the accountability framework of entrepreneurs would also be ensured. As Bangladesh is moving to produce high-value products, this digital mapping would act as a buyers tour or guide for the buyers, he added. Rahman said retailers sometime face difficult questions from the customers. This would help mitigate the challenges. If this system is launched, then all the information would be transparent and verified, and no confusion would arise afterwards. Rahman suggested the implementation of the final version of the map as quickly as possible. DRFM-B project manager Parveen S Huda said, This project will send a strong signal to all stakeholders that transformative change is happening within the readymade garments sector. She also said, Through its mapping and relationship building, DRFM-B will fuel advancements in Bangladeshs garments industry, inspire shared responsibility, responsible sourcing and collective action, and build upon pre-existing improvement efforts through informed decision-making. She explained the expected outcome of this mapping project, adding that this would be an interactive web-based map consisting of different types of information about factories. This would help establish transparency and awareness, and ultimately lead to long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the countrys RMG sector. We anticipate a lot of challenges as we try to implement this unique project. We seek the support of all stakeholders present here today to help us achieve this daunting task, she added. Talking to The Independent, e-Commerce Association of Bangladesh (e-CAB) president Razib Ahmed said, It is a great initiative by the government, but the final version in which the map would be showcased is expected to be completed by 2021. As a part of internet branding, garment companies can make their own videos and place them on the website or YouTube. YouTube is considered one of the top three watchable websites at this moment. About the challenges, he said, Unfortu-nately, we couldnt create any business portal yet where all the business information would be available in a single platform. Therefore, this digital map will definitely help the stakeholders find a detailed industry-wide database of factories. The public map will go live in mid-2018 with the Dhaka cluster. The final version of the mapshowcasing all 20 Bangladeshi garment-producing districtsis expected to be completed by mid-2021.