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BGMEA wants foreign missions to uphold industry image abroad

FE Report | February 12, 2019 00:00:00


Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Monday urged the country's foreign missions to work for upholding the image of the readymade garment (RMG) industry abroad.

BGMEA President Md Siddiqur Rahman made the call at a view exchange meeting with the newly appointed officials of different foreign missions, including the ones in Switzerland, China, Germany, Japan, Russia, Spain, USA and India, at its headquarters in the city, according to a statement.

BGMEA Vice President Mohammed Nasir and Director Munir Hossain, among others, were present.

"Though the compliant and modern RMG factories of Bangladesh produce quality products of international standard, the industry has been facing obstacles at one area. And this is propaganda against the industry abroad," said the BGMEA president.

He requested the foreign missions' officials to take necessary publicity measures of the good practices done in the industry and branding the image of the country.

During the meeting, the trade body made a presentation, explaining the export potentials and challenges in exporting apparel items.

Investment in private sector and its growth is a must to achieve the targeted 40 per cent industrial growth by 2021, the paper said.

It listed challenges like declining trend in the prices of locally made apparels, stable appreciation of local currency against competitors' currency depreciation, rising production costs and huge investment for workplace safety issues.

The BMGEA requested the officials to tell the international community about the improved workplace safety condition, workers' rights situation and environment-friendly factories.

Terming Russia's customs and duty structures 'complex', The BGMEA demanded establishing network with their financial institutions.

Regarding USA, it called for measures to regain the suspended GSP facility, saying Bangladesh has met most of the 16 conditions in this regard.

Due to the trade war between US and China, many buyers are looking for alternative sourcing destination, said the statement, adding that the officials could work on attracting the buyers to source from Bangladesh.

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