Urmi Group to supply RMG jhut to SME cluster entrepreneurs at affordable prices

Urmi Group will support small and micro entrepreneurs in textile and garment clusters by supplying ready-made garment (RMG) jhut (textile waste) at affordable prices and providing skills development training.

The company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the SME Foundation on 13 August to strengthen linkages between small and micro enterprises and large industries in Bangladesh's textile and garment sectors.

SME Foundation Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury and Urmi Group Director Shamarukh Fakhruddin signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations, according to a press release.

The partnership is expected to strengthen local supply chains and promote sustainable and inclusive industrialisation by helping CMSMEs and women entrepreneurs access affordable raw materials and develop their business capabilities.

Entrepreneurs across the country currently use textile waste collected from garment factories to produce yarn and winter products such as blankets, sheets and shawls. They generate income by selling these products.

Under the MoU, Urmi Group will supply textile surplus materials and other necessary inputs to CMSMEs and women entrepreneurs in textile and garment clusters identified by the SME Foundation based on their requirements.

The initiative will focus on reducing production costs, improving business capacity and ensuring better use of resources by making surplus materials available at affordable prices.

The collaboration will also promote circular economy practices by encouraging small entrepreneurs to reuse surplus materials and waste generated by the textile and garment industries.

According to the agreement, the initiative is expected to reduce resource wastage, create new sources of affordable raw materials and encourage more sustainable production practices.

The SME Foundation and Urmi Group will also jointly organise skills development and training programmes for CMSMEs and women entrepreneurs.

The programmes will cover entrepreneurship development, machine operation and maintenance, garment sewing, as well as needs-based technical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills.

Special emphasis will be placed on improving the skills and capabilities of women entrepreneurs and promising entrepreneurs in both rural and urban areas.

The two organisations will also facilitate opportunities for selected entrepreneurs to participate in the National SME Product Fair and other business platforms.

These platforms will help entrepreneurs expand their markets, build business networks and explore new opportunities.

To ensure effective implementation, the SME Foundation and Urmi Group will jointly develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) outlining the clusters covered, number of participating entrepreneurs and types of activities, with particular emphasis on women's participation and empowerment.

A joint monitoring mechanism comprising representatives from both organisations will also be established to assess the progress and impact of the initiatives.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, SME Foundation Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury said the MoU would help enhance the business management capabilities and skills of promising small and micro entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs.

He said initiatives would also be taken to further integrate these entrepreneurs into the supply chains of Bangladesh's textile and garment sectors.