Industry Talk (3) & (4)
Industry Talk 3 & 4
The Industry Talk sessions 3 and 4 of ICEBTM 2025, organized by the School of Business and Entrepreneurship (SBE) of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), took place on 14th November at The Westin, Dhaka. The sessions featured prominent speakers from the Readymade Garments (RMG) and banking sectors, including Mr. Amer Salim, Director of Knit Asia Ltd. and Aurum Sweater Ltd., and Mr. A.K.M. Shanawaz, Managing Director of Dhaka Bank PLC. The sessions were chaired by Mr. Emeka Egeson of Peters School of Business, Assiniboine Community College, Canada, alongside Dr. Ferdous Saleheen from Sharjah Maritime Academy, UAE.
The sessions began with Dr. Saleheen introducing the speakers and setting the stage for discussions. Mr. Amer Salim outlined the evolution of Bangladesh’s RMG sector, noting its contribution of 84 percent to national export earnings and its position as the backbone of the country’s economy. He highlighted the technological transformation within the industry, particularly the adoption of automated knitting machinery since 2020, which has increased productivity while reducing labor intensity. He also traced the growth in wages and operational costs, emphasizing the importance of technological advancement and continuous skill development for workers.
Mr. A.K.M. Shanawaz then discussed the historical development of private banking in Bangladesh, describing the sector’s evolution from a handful of private banks to a total of sixty-one operating banks in 2025. He emphasized the impact of global and domestic shocks, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia–Ukraine conflict, on the banking system. He highlighted the importance of government financial incentives, rising inflation, exchange rate fluctuations, and public trust in shaping banking operations. Mr. Shanawaz also addressed the rapid digital transformation of financial services, noting that while digital banking enables remote account management and loan processing, it requires user vigilance and institutional resilience.
Overall, these sessions highlighted parallel transformations in Bangladesh’s RMG and banking sectors, driven by technological innovation. Automation in the RMG industry has enhanced productivity while reducing labor requirements, necessitating continuous worker training. In banking, digitalization has modernized service delivery while requiring heightened awareness and adaptability. Together, these discussions illustrated how innovation simultaneously creates economic opportunities and demands adaptive capacity, shaping the nation’s future development trajectory.
The sessions concluded with a Q&A, moderated by Mr. Emeka Egeson. Discussions focused on technological change in the RMG industry, emphasizing inclusive transitions, environmental responsibility, and continuous skill development, as well as banking sector concerns such as mergers and regulatory oversight. Dr. Raisul Awal Mahmood, Honorary General Chair of ICEBTM 2025, presented certificates and mementos to the participants.
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