Bangladesh should prioritize human resource development in Readymade Garment (RMG) sector to ensure best use of skill and technology simultaneously to face the challenges phase out of Multi-Fibre Arrangement (MFA) from January next year, speakers at a function in Dhaka said yesterday.

They said Bangladesh needs immediate preparation of a strategy for the RMG sector in the changed global scenario as the time is running very fast. The country at present is enjoying quota facilities in the markets of USA, Canada and EU which will end by this year.

They were addressing the inaugural function of a training programme on "Maintenance Technology of Industrial Sewing Machines" at Sonargaon Hotel.

All these necessitated giving more emphasis on human resource development in this sector to increase quality products, the

business experts told the week-long training programme organised by the Association for Overseas Technical Scholarship (AOTS) in association with the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan, Brother industries, Japan and Singapore and the Dhaka office of the company.

Hideo Ueno, vice president of Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI) in Dhaka attended the inaugural function as the chief guest while Sotaro Nishikawa, Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) representative to Bangladesh attended it as the special guest.

Dr AKM Moazzem Hussain, AOTS representative to Bangladesh and Nepal and T Hamaji from Brother, Japan also spoke on the occasion, while T Okumura from Brother Singapore gave the address of welcome.

Fifty participants from different garment industries in and around Dhaka are participating in the train-

ing programme. Three experts -one each from Japan, Singapore and Bangladesh -- are conducting the technical sessions. Earlier, AOTS organised similar programme in Chittagong which was also participated by 50 persons.

Hideo Ueno said the best way to survive in the quota-free tough competition would perhaps be the quality improvement of the products by using the latest technology.

Ueno also said, reducing cost of productivity through proper human resource development would make a positive contribution in this respect.

The JBCCI vice president said Itochu Corporation of Japan which he represents in Bangladesh is involved in exporting Bangladeshi apparels to Europe and other countries. He assured that the company would continue the business without any disruption in future.