Leading the success story of TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh is Mohammed Hasem Ali, Managing Director, whose 17+ years of expertise in the TIC sector has played a crucial role in shaping the company’s growth trajectory. Hasem has been part of TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh from its year of inception and was instrumental in establishing a state-of-the-art Softlines Laboratory along with a highly skilled technical team, further expanding the portfolio into inspection, and audit services. He has a customer-first approach which has helped the organisation earn a reputation for fostering local and global relationships while maintaining strong client loyalty.

Recently, he sat down with M A Islam Riyadh, Editor, Textile Focus, to discuss the future of the industry and the role of TÜV Rheinland Bangladesh.

Textile Focus: What are your observations on the textile industry in recent times?

Hasem Ali: The Bangladesh textile industry is grappling with a range of challenges, including heightened competition and supply chain disruptions. While managing costs and ensuring timely deliveries have been ongoing concerns, recent power and gas shortages in the past quarter have exacerbated the issue. Additionally, the sector is facing difficulties due to banking constraints and foreign currency restrictions, which are hindering the procurement of machinery and materials from abroad.

However, we view these challenges as opportunities for innovation and growth, enabling the industry to adapt and emerge more resilient.  Signs of improvement are already evident, and we are confident that the situation will stabilize in the near term.

Looking ahead, the industry must prioritize addressing growing environmental concerns, particularly in the use of water, chemicals, and energy. This is where the TIC (Testing, Inspection, and Certification) sector plays a crucial role. TIC services ensure regulatory compliance, public safety, and sustainability. With the global TIC market projected to grow at a CAGR of 5-7%, reaching USD 300 billion by 2030, it is clear that businesses are increasingly prioritizing safety, quality and sustainability.

Textile Focus: What are the headwinds faced by the textile industry globally?

Hasem Ali: The global apparel market is facing stricter regulations due to heightened concerns about climate change, water and air quality, ethical sourcing, and consumer safety. In markets like the U.S., Europe, and Asia, new regulations are emerging, particularly to curb fast fashion waste. This creates increasing responsibilities on garment testing and inspection service providers to deliver precise and timely results, as brands and retailers rely on these assessments to manage product life cycles and prevent potential financial or legal repercussions.

On a positive note, the adoption of digitized garment testing operations enables faster reporting, end-to-end traceability, and improved visibility across the entire supply chain—from sourcing & testing to delivery. Digital tools provide better quality control, enable smarter decision-making, and help reduce time to market.

The TIC sector is highly competitive, and if inflation is kept in check and the economy is stable, it would enable us to provide cost-effective services while maintaining industry standards.

Textile Focus: What are the secrets of your successful business over 150 years globally?

Hasem Ali: TÜV Rheinland was founded on October 31, 1872, and our journey from steam boiler inspections to becoming a global service provider for nearly every industry has been a remarkable success story. From the very beginning, our privately organized tests and inspections gained immediate trust, which led to German government authorities commissioning us to conduct safety inspections, initially in steam boilers and eventually expanding to other industries.

As industrialization progressed, TÜV Rheinland quickly took on the inspection of elevators, power plants, and tank farms, evolving with the times. Today, we support our customers globally across 24 business sectors, focusing on people, the environment, and technology.

Our success is built on a strategic approach that includes global networking, capability building, and a customer-centric mindset that focuses on providing comprehensive solutions. A key factor in our growth has been our 22,000 employees, our support to innovations in technology and business, and our highly qualified experts who generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains. For 152 years, safety has been at the core of everything we do—ensuring safety within our own organization and for our valued customers.

In Bangladesh, we have built strong trust with our customers, and our reputation for quality, integrity, performance excellence, and agility has been key to our growth here. We continue to work towards making the world a safer place today for tomorrow.

Textile Focus: How are you providing support to the industry in terms of quality and commitment?

Hasem Ali: TÜV Rheinland supports the industry by offering a wide range of services both locally and internationally.

Certification and Auditing: We provide certification services that help businesses demonstrate compliance with international standards in areas such as quality, safety, and environmental management. This includes ISO certifications related to sustainability and industry-specific standards, ensuring businesses meet global benchmarks.

Testing Services: Our comprehensive testing services cover a wide array of products—from textiles and apparel to footwear —ensuring they meet safety and quality standards.

Inspection Services: Regular inspections and monitoring are essential for maintaining the efficient and safe operation of equipment and facilities, helping to reduce risks and enhance performance across various industries.

Training and Qualification: TÜV Rheinland offers training programs designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of industry professionals in areas like quality management, safety procedures, and regulatory compliance, enabling them to stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

Customized Solutions: Recognizing that each industry and business faces unique challenges, we collaborate closely with our clients to develop tailored solutions that address their specific needs, ensuring long-term success.

Sustainability Services: We also assist businesses in adopting sustainable practices through services such as environmental impact assessments and helping companies achieve sustainability certifications.

In addition to these core services, TÜV Rheinland offers a broad range of solutions through our global network to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

Textile Focus: What are your parting thoughts?

Hasem Ali: It is essential for all industry stakeholders to work together to ensure the continued success of the sector and uphold Bangladesh’s strong position in the global textile market. The RMG (Ready-Made Garments) industry is a lifeline for millions in Bangladesh, and the industry must continue to prioritize the well-being of its workforce, while continuing to expand the portfolio to include technical garments and high-value products. With this approach, I am confident that Bangladesh’s textile industry will achieve its goal of reaching USD 100 billion in apparel exports by 2030.

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In this edition, the organizer focused on young entrepreneurs who shared their success stories and the strength to face the challenges. Abrar Hossain Sayem, President, BAYLA; Founder & CEO, of Merchant Bay spoke about how he took the challenges to start Merchant Bay. Md. Rakibul Islam Khan, Managing Director, Pakiza Knit Group & Pakiza Software Ltd. shared how he has been involved in their family business and what are the challenges he is facing in managing the factories. Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury, Country Manager, Puma Bangladesh inspired the young graduates on how they can prepare to join at brands. Kyaw Sein Thay Dolly, Managing Director, Cloth “R” Us Ltd.; A K M Saifur Rahman (Forhand), Managing Partner, WIKITEX-BD are managing buying houses. They spoke about their journey to starting a business. Mayeesha Mahmud, Director, Cotton Group excited to join their business and shared the ideas of how she is learning day by day. Sakin Burc, CEO, Queentex Kimya, Turkey informed us that they are supporting the industry with sustainable textile processing chemicals. Technology partner Yonghao Machinery presented their technology and how that is helping the industry. Innovation partner SIP Italy presented their innovation in sewing technologies specially in the denim industry.

Bangladesh’s Textile and Garments industry is moving ahead toward sustainable development. Today’s textile graduates & and professionals are the driving force for tomorrow’s industry. There are so many developments and changes in the industry and textile professionals feel confused about which way they should move on. Also, employers are always telling us that they don’t get candidates with proper skills and attitudes.

INSPIRATION is an event to motivate the graduates/ professionals and guide how they should be prepared. In the session of the event, successful professionals and the owner will share their real-life experiences and expectations with the audience so that participants can get a light to walk rightly in the industry with the proper inspiration. This event was presided over by Mohammad Ashraful Islam Riyadh, Editor, of Textile Focus. This event was sponsored by Queentex Kimya, Turkey; Union Group; Wikitex BD and powered by Intertek Bangladesh; Innovation Partner- SIP Italy; Technology Partner-Yonghao Machinery, local agent Glorious Tech BD Ltd. More than 100 participants from different factories, corporate houses, and universities joined the event. Participants shared their happiness in joining the event.

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The first ever motivational public speaking event “INSPIRATION” organized by Textile Focus, an industry-centric knowledge platform for the textile and apparel industry held in Dhaka on 11th November 2023.

Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA was present as the Chief Guest whereas Fazlul Hoque Former President, BKMEA, Managing Director, Plummy Fashion Ltd.; Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director, BGMEA & Managing Director, Team Group; Engr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman, President, ITET; Managing Director, Hams Group; Md. Nazmul Kabir Managing Director, Fashion Globe Group; Jalal Ahmed, Sr. ED of Ha-Meem Group; Saifur Rahman, Regional Operations Manager, G-Star RAW; Helal Mohammad Nuri, CEO, SLG International, Zarin Rashid, Director, TRZ Garments Industry Ltd and Davide Righi, Sales Director, Garmon Chemicals were present as distinguished speakers. Besides, many young RMG leaders shared their experiences and observations at the event. 

“The journey of the RMG industry in Bangladesh was not easy to reach 47 billion in exports as today we see!“- Faruque Hassan, BGMEA President

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan requested all to work together for the development of the sector as the industry is passing a very hard time. He said, “Despite various limitations, Bangladesh RMG industry has gained second position in the world by producing apparel items for renowned brands, this is a result of prolonged hard work from all the manufacturers who started making garments in the early 80s period to earn foreign currency.”

He mentioned “The journey of the RMG industry in Bangladesh was not easy to reach at 47 billion of export as today we see. It was rather challenging and very tough to survive throughout the decade’s problem where export cartoons also had to be imported from abroad. In this regard, Bangladeshi manufacturers promoted RMG subsectors like cartoon and accessories factory by sacrificing and comprising to be capable for industry’s support.”

“Along with contribution to the country’s economy RMG industry has given the women’s empowerment and made them financially strengthen for free will in marriage and so they now can contribute to their family”. He added further.

He shared his views with the audience regarding BGMEA’s role in the industry’s growth – “The role of BGMEA in the RMG sector is unbeatable for branding Bangladesh and gearing up the sector’s development. BGMEA established BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT) to create expertise for the sector and innovation projects for fashion and ideas. Also, it has been closely working to improve the industry’s best practice with fair wages, safety, and sustainability.”

“We should more focus on high-end products with man-made fiber rather than run after low-value cotton base items as the country’s apparel export goes 75% on cotton and five basic items of products out of 200 items of export code,” he said while talking about product diversification. 

Mentioning the sector’s challenges, he stated “Numeral challenges are remaining in the sector preventing the sector’s growths due to inadequate of power supply, field level bureaucracy and lack of proper policy support for long time sustainable business growth.”

He appreciated Textile Focus for organizing such an event which will help the young generation to be inspired to better the industry. 

“Anything start-up, either a business or a job career seems very clumsy, challenging, and difficult but the self-confidence and hardworking possible to reach a successful position“. – Fazlul Hoque, Former President, BKMEA, Managing Director, Plummy Fashion Ltd.

Fazlul Hoque shared his experience of how he was inspired to manage a lead-certified factory. He also shared how he had a challenging task when 1^st elected as BKMEA President to establish the organization, He said: “Anything start-up, either business or career in job seems very clumsy, challenging and difficult but by the self-confidence and hardworking possible to reach in a successful position.”

“We should develop our skills to be responsible and to be leaders for the respective post where currently we are working in the industry.“- Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director, BGMEA & Managing Director, Team Group  

Abdulah Hil Rakib shared his journey to build today’s Team Group. He also urges personal skill development by saying “We should develop our skill to be responsible and to be leader for the respective post where currently we are working in the industry, especially for the mid-level management those are always kept behind and never been asked for improving skill and enhancing efficiency. The wage versus efficiency is also a very important issue to focus more on because we are still far behind 11 times than China which is considered as our competitor. So the competitiveness can be possible to keep on track by professional skill development.”

“The RMG sector has a severe need for leaders and expertise.“- Engr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman, President, ITET & Managing Director, Hams Group

Engr. Shafiqur Rahman inspired the young generation to be entrepreneurs. He said “Bangladesh RMG industry is now in a crisis due to some miscreants trying to stop the sector but industrial leaders along with its working force standing to tackle them as the previous time. He urged expertise and said ” Today RMG sector has a severe need for leaders and expertise. Because the new generation seems to be not properly preparing themself to run the industry for future. ” Giving special thanks to Textile Focus he said, ” The event ‘inspection’ will help to provide leadership skills as well as a new flat form for the next level of RMG expertise. “

Jalal Ahmed, Former Additional Secretary, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and Senior Executive Director, Ha-Meem Group-  

“Ha-Meem Group has a large contribution to the development of the textile industry. He emphasized the skilled development for the new generation of the industry.  Day by day business is becoming competitive, we all must think out of the box to face any challenges with proper strategy and appropriate knowledge and skills.”

Shafiur Rahman, South Asian Operations Head, G-star Raw “Never go for a shortcut way to gain success in life because as human beings we should think about value in society and set goals for life and career. Long-time or short-time target missions are prerequisites to be successful and to achieve the dream. No success is achieved without proper effort and hard work. Still, we have a lot of things to develop in the industry.  

Md. Nazmul Kabir Managing Director, Fashion Globe Group- “English language skill development is most important in this sector to boost a personal career as well as to maintain good industrial standards. Most of the time we talk about improving English efficiency for the merchandiser only in the sector but language development for mid-level management is considered not very important. So, we should practice day-to-day working communication in the English language.”

Helal Mohammed Nuri, CEO, SLG International- “We are targeting B100 USD export by 2030. To achieve the target, we must work with dignity and proper strategy. There is no alternative to growing this industry as we have a workforce and determination. I started my career at YongYang corporation, I tried my best to know the details of the operation and worked at BEXIMCO Group. I learned a lot in my initial career.”

Zarin Rashid, Director, TRZ Garments Industry Ltd- “As a representative of the second generation in the RMG industry, it was not so easy for me to stay motivated for the day-to-day industrial tasks that sometimes seemed not to be fit for the position. Without practical industrial knowledge, none can be successful in the RMG sector regardless of whether the background of the family or personal status may not help much.”

Davide Righi, Sales Director, Garmon Chemicals- “Sustainability is the topic here I would like to discuss with you all. Are we all sustainably managing our lives? We are defining sustainability in different contexts. This is overused at present. In the textile industry, we mean the process of our operation in a way so that we can sustain healthy and environmentally safe. That’s why Garmon is providing sustainable products for textile processing.

Part of the audience – professionals from various disciplines who are working in the sector including textile graduates attended the event by online registration.

Speakers from different buying houses, MNC country office, and factory top management shared their real-life experiences and how they faced the challenges at different stages of their careers. They shared the opinion that Bangladesh’s Textile and Garments industry is moving ahead toward sustainable development. Today’s textile graduates & and professionals are the driving force for tomorrow’s industry. There are so many developments and changes in the industry and so textile professionals feel confused about which way they should move on. Also, employers are always saying that they don’t get candidates with proper skills and attitudes.

Neyamul Hasan, Country Managing Director, Intertek Bangladesh expressed his pleasure to be associated with INSPIRATION as powered by a partner. He requested Textile Focus to organize such sessions frequently.

Mohammad Ashraful Islam, Editor, Textile Focus expressed his gratitude to all the distinguished guests, speakers, and sponsors. He expressed his happiness in organizing the first ever such motivational public speaking.

S. M. Sumo, CEO, of Glorious Tech BD presented the innovative technology of Yonghao Machinery. He requested all to use the latest innovative machinery for textile production..

INSPIRATION is an event to motivate the graduates/ professionals and guide how they should be prepared. In the session of the event, successful professionals and the owner will share their real-life experiences and expectations with the audience so that participants can get a light to walk rightly in the industry with the proper inspiration. This event was presided over by Mohammad Ashraful Islam Riyadh, Editor, of Textile Focus.

The event was sponsored by Garmon Chemical, Union Group, and powered by Intertek Bangladesh and Technology Partner Yonghao Machinery, local agent Glorious Tech BD Ltd. More than 100 participants from different factories, corporate houses, and universities joined the event. Participants shared their happiness in joining the event. The next INSPIRATION-02 will be held in February 2024.

The post INSPIRATION, first-ever motivational public speaking event for the textile industry organized by Textile Focus held in Dhaka appeared first on Textile Focus.

Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA was present as the chief guest whereas Fazlul Hoque Former President, BKMEA, Managing Director, Plummy Fashion Ltd.; Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director, BGMEA & Managing Director, Team Group; Engr. Md. Shafiqur Rahman, President, ITET; Managing Director, Hams Group; Md. Nazmul Kabir Managing Director, Fashion Globe Group; Jalal Ahmed, Sr. ED of Ha-Meem Group were present as special guests. Besides, many young RMG leaders shared their experiences and observations at the event.

BGMEA President requested all to work together for the development of the sector as we are passing a very hard time for the industry. He appreciated such an event which will help the young generation to be inspired to better the industry.   Fazlul Hoque shared his experience of how he was inspired to manage a lead-certified factory. Abdulah Hil Rakib shared his journey to build today’s Team Group. Engr. Shafiqur Rahman inspired the young generation to be entrepreneurs.  Speakers from different buying houses, MNC country office, and factory top management shared their real-life experiences and how they faced the challenges at different stages of their careers.

Bangladesh’s Textile and Garments industry is moving ahead toward sustainable development. Today’s textile graduates & and professionals are the driving force for tomorrow’s industry. There are so many developments and changes in the industry and textile professionals feel confused about which way they should move on. Also, employers are always telling us that they don’t get candidates with proper skills and attitudes.

INSPIRATION is an event to motivate the graduates/ professionals and guide how they should be prepared. In the session of the event, successful professionals and the owner will share their real-life experiences and expectations with the audience so that participants can get a light to walk rightly in the industry with the proper inspiration. This event was presided over by Mohammad Ashraful Islam Riyadh, Editor, of Textile Focus. This event was sponsored by Garmon Chemical, Union Group, and powered by Intertek and Technology Partner Yonghao Machinery agent of Glorious Tech BD Ltd. More than 100 participants from different factories, corporate houses, and universities joined the event. Participants shared their happiness in joining the event.

The post INSPIRATION, a motivational public speaking event for the textile industry held in Dhaka appeared first on Textile Focus.

A partnership signing ceremony took place between the two organizations where Tariq Hameed, Country Manager of Kemin Textile Auxiliaries, M A Islam Riyadh, Editor of Textile Focus signed a partnership agreement. Ms. Fahima Rani, Business Development Manager of KTA Bangladesh; Moshiur Rahman, Manager, Sales & Technical of KTA and Md. Rakibul Islam, Manager of Business Development of Textile Focus was also present at the signing ceremony.

About INSPIRATION:  Bangladesh’s Textile and Garments industry is moving ahead toward sustainable development. Today’s textile graduates/professionals are the driving force for tomorrow’s industry. There are so many developments and changes in the industry and textile professionals feel confused about which way they should move on. Also, employers are always telling us that they don’t get candidates with proper skills and attitudes. 

INSPIRATION is an event to motivate the graduates/ professionals and guide how they should be prepared. In the session of the event, successful professionals and the owner will share their real-life experiences and expectations with the audience so that participants can get a light to walk rightly in the industry with the proper inspiration.

The post Garmon becomes the Title Sponsor of INSPIRATION appeared first on Textile Focus.