SOME CURRENT STATISTICS
Let's crack some numbers
A nation-wide RMG factory census was conducted in all 64 districts of BangladeshOnly 4 districts contain the majority of RMG factoriesOther RMG factories are spread in the remaining 60 districts(as of October 2023)
Total Export Oriented RMG Factories found
3604
BGMEA and BKMEA Member Factories
2534
Non-member Factories
1070
Number of Workers
2,861,806
MiB in a Nutshell
Export-Oriented RMG Digital Map
First-ever research initiative of its kind in Bangladesh for export-oriented RMG industry
A transparency mechanism enabling accountability of the sector
Evidence-based decision-making tool for sector stakeholders
A participatory and collective action approach with public and private governance entities
Aligned with the nation’s mandated “Digital Bangladesh Vision 2021”
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The MiB ProjectINCLUDES
Sector Mapping
MiB aims at mapping the Bangladesh RMG industry covering factories that are directly/indirectly export-oriented, have core RMG processes, and are members of major associations.
Baseline Database
MiB intends to build a detailed industry-wide database of RMG factories covering factory name, address,GPS, registration status, building type, worker, exporting countries, customers, certifications
Authentic Information
MiB endeavors to provide accurate, credible and updated factory data that can generate various reports for major stakeholders, like brands and buyers, to make informed business decisions.
Stakeholders' View on
Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB)
Map Features
An interactive live public map, based on Google Maps, with advanced search options features basic information and GPS-locations of all export-oriented RMG factories in Bangladesh.
Users can play with the data and generate customized reports as per their own interests.
Regularly updated factory information by following a robust data verification and validation protocol.
Users can suggest data and information through a vetted system for endorsement and updating.
Presents the most essential and relevant factory data focusing on the export-oriented RMG sector in Bangladesh.
MiB's Recent Publications
Demystifying the Workers’ Ratio of
Export Oriented RMG Factories in Bangladesh: Perspective from
Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB)
Working Paper-1
Operational Status of Export-oriented RMG Factories during Covid-19 Pandemic
A Rapid Survey Conducted by the ‘Mapped in Bangladesh’ Project
Impacts of COVID19 on the RMG Backward Linkage Factories in Bangladesh: Insights from Anecdotal Evidence
A Rapid Survey Conducted by the ‘Mapped in Bangladesh’ Project
Impacts of Coronavirus on
Non-member RMG Factories
in Bangladesh
A MiB Research Conducted by BRAC University's CED and JPGSPH
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Lives of Workers in the Bangladesh Garment Industry
A Rapid Survey jointly conducted by BRAC University's CED and JPGSPH and the Subir and Malini Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies at the University of California, Berkeley
MiB Use Cases
MiB Data Aids Naripokkho in Protecting Women's Right
Naripokkho utilizes MiB data for a project to provide support to women suffering from gender discrimination in the RMG sector
Strengthening Post-Covid economic recovery for a leading commercial bank
Mutual Trust Bank is one of the leading commercial banks in Bangladesh, offering its clients a range of financial products and services. It has a strong focus on trade financing and has established itself as a leading provider of financial services to Bangladesh’s RMG sector.
Facilitating renewable energy projects in the RMG sector
The Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) is a national entity in Bangladesh that is a market leader in providing renewable energy and infrastructure financing in Bangladesh. Specifically, IDCOL works to bridge the financing gap for developing medium to large-scale infrastructure financing.
Mapping climate risk in Bangladesh’s apparel sector
Cornell University’s Global Labor Institute pioneers independent research about work in global supply chains, with a particular focus on the apparel industry. In partnership with global asset management firm Schroders, the institute produced a pair of report
MiB Newsletter Phase 1
MiB Newsletter Phase 2
MiB Newsletter Phase 2
MiB's Thoughts
What Happened So Far
Brac University-BGMEA MoU Extended
BracU-BGMEA MoU, signed in 2016 for collaboration on Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB), was extended up to 2026.
Co-funding Partner
The State of the Netherlands, represented by the Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation (legally represented by the Head of Mission, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka, Bangladesh) became the co-funding partner of MiB.
Initial Census Started
A nation-wide initial factory census started covering factory name, postal address, GPS location with contact and image
Project Advisory Committee
A multi-stakeholder Project Advisory Committee (PAC) formed to provide strategic advices and significant insights to the Project Team
Inception Workshops
4 workshops with representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, DIFE, brand/buyer, mid-level RMG professional, labor/right-based org., factory owner, etc.
Direct from the field
Blog News
Non-Operational Factories: Unveiling Reasons and Supply Chain Gaps
MiB প্রজেক্টের আঙ্গিকেঃ বৃক্ষ তোমার নাম কী? ফলে পরিচয়!
What should be the ideal time for a repeat factory census?
একজন মাঠ গবেষকের চোখে দেশের তৈরি পোশাক খাত
BGMEA and Brac University Signed MoU to Collaborate for a Project on “Digital Repository of RMG Workers”
Circular RMG Practice in Bangladesh
MiB at a Glance and Stakeholders' Views
This video presents MiB's 5 years' journey towards accountability and transparency through the interactive digital map, accessibility of the most-updated factory database, and valuable insights from sector stakeholders.
Media Gallery
The Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB) project of Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), Brac University (BracU), has organized a webinar on 20 July 2020 titled “State of the RMG Industry during the Pandemic: Is it on the Way to Recovery?” where participants from Australia, Bangladesh, Hong Kong, Netherlands, Spain, Tanzania, United Kingdom (UK), Denmark, and the United States of America (USA) joined. The webinar was based on the findings of the recently conducted rapid survey (Phase 2) to address the operational status of export-oriented ready made garments factories during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Brac University’s “Mapped in Bangladesh” project is working to facilitate the linkage between factories and buyers. With the support of BRAC, BGMEA, and BKMEA; Brac University has developed a digital map for the RMG industry. The map contains a lot of important information including the names, locations, and products of all the export-oriented RMG factories in Bangladesh. This is a verified and updated information source for international brands and buyers. From the map, they can easily contact manufacturers who can meet their demand. So, register today and update your factory information.
The ready-made garment (RMG) sector has been one of the major contributors to the country’s economy as well as the employment generation. The impacts of the pandemic have, however, not been limited to the member factories only. The factories that are not members of the apex trade bodies (i.e., BGMEA and/or BKMEA) have also been adversely and severely affected. While the government and researchers have always focused mainly on the member factories, the status, state, and conditions of the non-member factories are severely under-explored. Despite their contribution to the country’s economy and employment, very little initiatives have been taken and very limited research activities have been carried out keeping them in mind. To know the impact of the coronavirus or Covid-19 pandemic on the non-member ready-made garments factories of Bangladesh, the MiB project has conducted a study titled “Impact of Coronavirus on Non-Member RMG Factories in Bangladesh” – the study findings will be shared in the webinar.
Brac University’s “Mapped in Bangladesh” project is working to facilitate the linkage between factories and buyers. With the support of BRAC, BGMEA, and BKMEA; Brac University has developed a digital map for the RMG industry. The map contains a lot of important information including the worker numbers, PC / Safety committee, and emergency support service information of all the export-oriented RMG factories in Bangladesh. This is a verified and updated information source for worker right based organization. From the map, they can easily extract the workers related data as per their demand. So, register today.
The Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB) project of Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) of Brac University (BracU), has organized a webinar on September 30, 2020 titled as “Covid-19 Experience: Workers’ Perspective” based on the findings of the recently conducted rapid survey on Ready Made Garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh titled “The Impacts of Covid-19 on the Lives of Workers in the Garment Industry”. The Rapid Survey is being carried out in collaboration with Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) and Brac James P. Grant School of Public Health (JPGSH) of Brac University and the Subir and Malini Chowdhury Center for Bangladesh Studies at the University of California, Berkeley.
Brac University’s “Mapped in Bangladesh” project is working to facilitate the linkage between factories and buyers. With the support of BRAC, BGMEA, and BKMEA; Brac University has developed a digital map for the RMG industry. The map contains a lot of important information including the names, locations, and products of all the export-oriented RMG factories in Bangladesh. This is a verified and updated information source for international brands and buyers. From the map, they can easily contact manufacturers who can meet their demand. So, register today and update your factory information.
Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB) will enable accountability and encourage joint action. Brands, especially small and online brands, will need to start to be accountable for their production. NGOs will be able to use this information to hold brands and manufacturers accountable.
In this instructional video, users will be introduced to various features of the digital map of Mapped in Bangladesh (MiB)