Tasnuba Akhter Rifa :
Azahar Khan, chairman of Mithela Group, is a prominent figure in Bangladesh’s garment industry. By establishing environment friendly factories, he has proudly showcased Bangladesh’s textile sector in the global market. As the chairman of Mithela Textile Industries Limited, a leading export-oriented company, he has been contributing a lot to the country’s economy.
Mithela Textile is recognised as the only environment friendly and clean textile industry in Asia. In 2018, the company received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification from the United States Green Building Council for its commitment to reducing toxic emissions. It is the world’s first and only platinum-category green factory for woven fabric dyeing and is ranked among the top five green-category industrial establishments globally. As a top export-oriented company, Mithela Textile Industries Limited has also received the Green Factory Award.
Azahar Khan recently discussed the industry’s challenges in an exclusive interview with The New Nation.
Azahar Khan said, “Mithela strives to meet the demand for 100% high-quality fabrics as its buyers require. The recent announcement of increased gas prices has caused significant concern among industrialists, especially those in the garment sector. The government intends to raise gas prices without consulting industry leaders.”
He alleged that the previous government’s unilateral decision to increase gas price was quite unjust. He expressed the hope that the current government would reduce prices, but instead, they plan to raise them further. He believes this will harm the local textile sector ultimately benefitting the neighbouring countries that provide incentives to their industries.
When asked why foreign investment in Bangladesh is not increasing and why the economy is not functioning efficiently, Azahar Khan said ‘foreign investors prioritize political stability when considering investments. They are more likely to invest if a government is formed through a fair election. To boost trade and commerce, bank loan interest rates must be lowered, and law enforcement must be strictly maintained.’
The business icon said “Mithela Textile produces advanced fabrics that no other company in Bangladesh has made before. The factory, equipped with the latest technology and machinery, operates in an environmentally friendly manner. The factory produces cutting-edge woven-dyed fabrics without harming the environment.”
He emphasized that Mithela Textile uses the latest technology, advanced machinery, a safe and comfortable work environment, and skilled labour to produce high-quality, environment friendly fabrics.
Mithela Textile Industries Limited, located in Araihazar, Narayanganj, is the world’s first platinum green factory in woven textile dyeing. Established by the Khan family, the factory began construction in 2015 and started full production in early 2019.
The entrepreneur highlighted that the factory is designed to achieve 66% energy savings. During the daytime, the factory does not require artificial lighting, as natural light is efficiently utilized. The company’s core philosophy is to impress buyers through transparency in production, service improvement, and commitment, ensuring the delivery of world-class products. Mithela Textile offers all the necessary facilities for producing globally competitive woven fabrics.
Azahar Khan also discussed the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which involves the automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial systems using advanced smart technology. The term “Fourth Industrial Revolution” originated in 2011 from a high-tech project initiated by the German government and was later popularized by Klaus Schwab, founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum.
He noted that the Third Industrial Revolution, which introduced the internet, accelerated global economic activities through rapid information exchange. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) will increasingly replace human labor, leading to significant changes in production processes and impacting industries such as healthcare, communication, and publishing.
“To capitalize on this revolution, Bangladesh must prepare by developing a skilled workforce tailored to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, necessitating a shift in the education system to focus on advanced technologies like IoT, blockchain, and robotics” he concluded.
