Education Minister Dr ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon has said artificial intelligence will not take away jobs in Bangladesh’s garment sector, but will instead improve product quality, design and global competitiveness.
He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking as chief guest at the opening ceremony of the 4th International Conference on Textile Science and Engineering (ICTSE-2026) at the Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
He said the ready-made garment and textile industry remains the lifeblood of Bangladesh’s economy, employing around six million workers, many of them women. Although the country is now the world’s second-largest garment exporter, he said it still depends heavily on imported raw materials.
Dr Milon said Bangladesh must reduce that dependence and strengthen its position in global markets by investing in research, innovation and new technologies. He said the sector must keep pace with competitors such as China, Vietnam, India and Pakistan.
The minister stressed that digitalisation and artificial intelligence should be embraced rather than feared. He said these technologies would enhance creativity, improve garment design and strengthen international marketing efforts rather than replace human labour.
He also called for wider use of green textile technologies and recycling systems, saying these were essential for tackling climate change and meeting the Sustainable Development Goals.
Referring to Bangladesh’s textile heritage, Dr Milon highlighted the historical significance of Dhaka muslin and said modern science should be used to revive and reimagine traditional excellence. He also urged increased use of biodegradable jute bags instead of plastic alternatives to reduce environmental damage.
He said that under the Prime Minister’s directive, jute-made school bags would be distributed to primary school students across the country.
Highlighting the development of BUTEX, he said its transformation from a college into a university began in 2006. Its graduates, he added, are now working across different sectors, including entrepreneurship, industry, civil administration, police and politics, contributing significantly to the national economy.
He urged private universities to establish modern laboratories and raise textile education to international standards.
BUTEX Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr Md Julhas Uddin chaired the event, while University Grants Commission Chairman Professor Dr Mamun Ahmed attended as special guest. Teachers, researchers and students from home and abroad also participated.
Earlier, Dr Milon inaugurated the BUTEX Tree Plantation Programme 2026, part of a nationwide initiative aimed at planting 2.5 billion trees over the next five years.
