Look for new markets for RMG, PM asks exporters

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurating 20th apparel and textile exposition Batexpo 2009 organised by BGMEA at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in the city Thursday. — FE photo

FE Report
The 20th apparel and textile exposition (BATEXPO 2009) kicked off Thursday to attract buyers from new destinations and invite fresh investment in the country aiming at taking the sector back to the pre-recession time.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the fair at a function in a city hotel and urged industrialists to look for big markets for readymade garments (RMG) in different Asian, African and Latin American countries.
"We must look for new markets apart from the United States and Europe," she said adding that good opportunities have now become visible in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and South Africa.
Sheikh Hasina said the government is still trying to get duty free access to the United States market and informed the audience that decision has already been taken to raise this demand during the upcoming ministerial level meeting of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Geneva.
The Prime Minister said the government has taken several steps, including formation of task force and declaring a stimulus package to help the RMG sector face the global recession the reflection of which is visible to some extent in the sector.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association,
(BMGEA), the trade body of over 5,000 members, has been organising BATEXPO, one of the biggest showcases in Asia since 1989. On this occasion this year, it held a fair and fashion show involving its labour force.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Local Government and Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam and Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan joined the inaugural ceremony as special guests.
BGMEA President Abdus Salam Murshedy chaired the function where First Vice President Nasir Uddin Chowdhury and Vice President Faruque Hassan also addressed.
A total of 86 stalls have been set up to display finished and basic clothing products. Some buyers and potential investors from Japan and China, among others, are also taking part in the fair.
The Prime Minister praised the RMG leaders for continuing the growth of the sector despite slowdown of global economy but requested them to improve welfare activities for the sector's labour forces as they are the main 'wheels' of the industry.
"We must consider that workers are the wheels of the production oriented industry," she said urging the BGMEA to work more on increasing their facilities including improving their skills.
The Prime Minister also praised the BGMEA members who have already implemented the minimum wage scale but urged them to take steps to fulfil their prime demand for saving the already established industry from ruination.
"Many conspiracies are on to create anarchy in the sector," she said declaring that as part of the government's commitment to save the RMG sector, steps have already been taken to form industrial police and intelligence-wing in the industrial zones to trace out the conspirators.
She urged the RMG owners to ensure discipline in their respective factories and said the government is ready to provide all kinds of cooperation to ensure congenial environment.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also assured the BGMEA to provide all necessary support to increase their productivity, human resources development and removing barriers to smooth functioning of the Chittagong port, loan rescheduling and reviving sick industries.
AMA Muhith, in his speech, said the RMG sector still has the scope to expand and accommodate 4.0 million more people with majority of them women in its rolls. He also assured them of all possible cooperation to help the sector overcome its various problems.