The first twelve months of BQSP (six months inception phase, and the first six months of planned implementation) was completed in December 2006. Inception activities were completed rapidly and implementation begn in parallel, early in the year.
The inception phase included the launching ceremony, preparation of the programme work plan, identifying and recruiting staff, fact-finding and evaluation. Coordination, cooperation and sharing of information between the UNIDO sub-components, between UNIDO and ITC, and between BQSP and stakeholders, donors and projects, was given particular emphasis, e.g. UNIDO signed an MOU with GTZ to cooperate in the development of the BGMEA Institute of Fashion and Technology (BIFT).
BQSP, in its first year, has proved to be the catalyst for some important developments in the field of quality assurance in Bangladesh, with the establishment of the long awaited, and much needed, Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), and the creation of a new private/public governing body for the National Institute for Textiles Training and Research (NITTRAD).
The accreditation act was passed in July 2006 . A provisional secretariat was established, through cooperation between MoI, BSTI and UNIDO, a development plan approved, and development and promotional activities begun. These included awareness raising; training; development of international links; drafting regulations and preparing operational manuals; and the establishment of associations of laboratories and certification bodies which will play an active role in the development of the board. Financial provision for the long term development of BAB is expected to be included in the 2007/2008 budget. Preparatory work, to be followed up in 2007, on the review of the legal framework has been done by the international consultants on accreditation, standards, certification and consumer affairs.
A review and development plan for the standards setting and certification wings of BSTI was completed. Retraining of BSTI staff and technical committee members, and development of new procedural manuals and documentation has begun. New product standards have been submitted to BSTI for adoption and harmonization. A fast internet link and local area network to all departments was installed. The Director General BSTI attended the 29th ISO General Assembly in Ottawa in September 2006. A review and development plan for CAB was prepared by Consumer International. UNIDO, together with MoI, is exploring ways of providing the necessary sustainable support for CAB to be able to implement the plan.
NITTRAD is the leading institute for training in the primary textiles industry.
The agreement to transfer control of NITTRAD from the Bangladesh Textiles Mills Corporation (BTMC) to a newly formed governing body with strong representation from the private sector, an agreement which was reached with assistance from BQSP, was signed in October 2006. The privatisation of the management of NITTRAD has long been considered by the private sector textile mills (which make a major contribution to the success of Bangladesh garment exports) to be a pre-condition for the institute to achieve its full potential as a world class training and research institution making a major contribution to the development and growth of the sector. Evaluation and specifications for re-equipping one department of NITTRAD has so far been completed to be followed by plans for all departments in 2007.
BQSP is also supporting the development of the leading institution for the clothing industry, the Institute of Fashion Technology of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. Through BQSP, the London College of Fashion, University of the Arts, London, is developing a cooperation agreement with BIFT to upgrade and expand its training programmes. LCF is the only college in the UK specialising in training and research for the fashion industry, and attracts students from throughout the world. Plans for upgrading BIFT facilities will be finalised once the programme with (LCF) has been agreed early in 2007.
If BAB is the apex of the national quality management system which is being developed with the support of BQSP, the foundation is the new metrology laboratory of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute (BSTI) which is being created under BQSP. Design and specification of the new laboratory premises and equipment has been completed. Upgrading of the premises and installation of new equipment is scheduled to be completed during 2007.
Design and specifications have also been prepared for construction and commissioning of three new laboratories for the Inspection and Quality Control department of the Department of Fisheries, to be completed by June 2007. The upgrading of the physical facilities is supported by retraining of laboratory staff and upgrading laboratory practices and standards, and by the introduction of a comprehensive quality assurance and traceability system in the export seafood industry. Surveys on the current state of QAP, HACCP and traceability systems and practice were done, development plans prepared, and initial re-training given to DOF and private sector personnel.
To sum up the first year of BQSP - inception tasks were completed quickly, the programme has begun well, and there have been major achievements in each sub-component; UNIDO is cooperating closely with ITC; and the basis for a successful achievement of the programe's objectives has been established.
