Technology upgradation in the apparel industry is crucial to remain competitive in the global market, said the apex trade body of Bangladesh’s garments manufacturers.
“Use of modern technologies, tools and software are predominant when it comes to enhancing productivity and quality,” Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said while speaking at the webinar “AI & Robotics: Global Implication of Artificial Intelligence” Sunday.
The webinar was organised as a part of the World Congress on Information Technology (WCIT) – held during November 11-14 in Dhaka with the participation of experts from more than 75 countries.
Faruque said technological innovations are imperative not only to enhance competitiveness but also to make a business sustainable. “There is no alternative to technologies to ensure sustainable use of water, energy and other resources. Sustainability and digitalisation are interlinked and greatly complement each other.”
Automation and technology upgradation will not impact employment adversely because all the processes required to make a garment cannot be replaced by machines, the BGMEA chief said.
“However, we should train our people with the right skills to operate new generation technologies. We need to turn the challenge into an opportunity through re-skilling and up-skilling.”
Ariyan M Kabir, co-founder and CEO of GrayMatter Robotics Inc, Professor Genci Capi of the Hosei University of Japan, and Dr Patrick Meier, co-founder and CEO of WeRobotics, also joined the discussion.
Lafifa Jamal, professor of robotics and mechatronics engineering at the University of Dhaka, moderated it.
Source: United News of Bangladesh