At first I would like to thank Almighty Allah for, by the blessings of him, not only me but many members of our Association become cured and recovered from COVID-2019. I am expressing my sympathy and consolation to the family members of those who have lost their relatives due to COVID-2019 & other reasons for last two years and also praying to the Almighty for salvation of the souls of departed ones.

1st Garments Industry was established in 1980 and later on while many industries startedRMG business then in 1990, finding good prospects, few patriotic industrialists started accessories and packaging business. During these 30 years, on an average 59 accessories and packaging industry was established per year. Due to support of this sector, Bangladesh is now 2nd in world for exporting RMG. As per share for completing a garments product, there are 15-18% share of these sector on total RMG export of 31.5 US$ billion for FY 2020-2021. Although, flourishing of Garments industries is due to cent percent support from accessories and packaging sector, but this sector is getting only Bond facilities from the Government. The Government, considering the importance of this sector, incorporated similar facilities for this sector in National Export Policy, National Industry Policy and Textile Policy which is given to RMG sector. To keep up sustainable growth and to protect the interest of our member industries, we, particularly Board of Directors, should have to pursue the Government for implementation of those sections of the policies favourable for this sector.

During last financial year about US$ 7.0 billion was earned from this sector. Our export target is earmarked US$ 12.00 billion by the end of 2025 provided Government gives policy support to this sector. BGAPMEA is the member of Asian Packaging Federation (APF) & World Packaging Organization (WPO).

The European Union (EU), through Bangladesh INSPIRED project, provided grant for Small & Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) for capacity building of different sectors & associations. The purpose of this grant was to enhance the competitiveness & sustainable growth of SMEs in selected sub-sectors of Bangladesh. Under the INSPIRED project, BGAPMEA set up a Testing Laboratory at 22/A-Ka, Happy Homes (1st floor), Kunipara, Tejgaon, Dhaka-1208. The intent of continuing this Testing Laboratory is to establish a National Institute of Packaging & Accessories (NIPA) at Purbachal where we got one acre of land of RAJUK at Institutional area.

To raise our logical demands to the Government and private sector and to disseminate the information of our activities, we are now publishing Quarterly Newspaper namely "Apparel Accessories Newsletter". To motivate and convince our members as well as stakeholders, we are now regularly printing and distributing Diary, Member Directory. We also wish all of our members, well-wishers and buyers in the occasion of New year, Eid-ul-Fitar, Eid--ul-Adha, through greeting cards.

To show our respect to our martyrs, recently we have started celebrating all the National days.

Since my involvement in this sector, I was very much concern for protection of the interest of our members as well as for smooth business of their company. Finally, I was blessed by the Almighty and got the opportunity to Chair the BOD which will give me enormous opportunity to work fo this sector and to serve our members. So, I would like to thank all the members of the Association whose support takes me in this position.

Wish all the members and stakeholders safe and healthy life.

(Mohammad Moazzem Hossain Moti)

President, BGAPMEA