The county's apparel makers called upon all political parties Monday to save the country's largest export-earning industry from further catastrophe as the sector has already counted Tk 4.50 billion in losses for the last seven days of blockade.
The sector leaders, however, reiterated their appeal to keep the readymade garment (RMG) sector and its backward and forward linkage industries outside the purview of all sorts of political activities to ensure smooth supply chain of both import and export.
"It is our earnest request to all the political parties to save the garment industry from any further disaster as the destructive political programmes are taking their heavy toll on the economy as a whole," Md Atiqul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said at a press conference on the ongoing political situation held at its headquarters in the city.
Not only the Dhaka-Chittagong highway but also all the highways that are used for carrying raw materials, accessories and other related resources by forward and backward industries of the RMG sector must be kept out of the purview of political programmes like hartal and blockade, he demanded.
He also demanded a clear directive from the political parties in this regard.
The BGMEA's call came just two days after the FBCCI's request to shun negative political programmes.
Earlier on Saturday, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), in a statement, also made a similar appeal to help continue the growth of the knit sector and the national economy.
"We don't want to get affected further. Businesspeople will do business and politicians will do politics," he said urging the political parties not to victimise business and investment.
"Due to the ongoing political impasse, the garment industry is in a serious image crisis. Buyers are not coming here to negotiate their new orders with the onset of the new season," he noted.
The apparel exports have just started bouncing back in recent times but the unstable political situation has created panic among the global buyers, Mr Islam said.
A single day hartal or blockade hampers apparel exports worth Tk 6.95 billion and production worth Tk 2.15 billion, he noted.
The manufacturers faced air shipments, discount and deferred payment of Tk 4.50 billion due to the recent blockades that were enforced since January 04, he said.
He asked how the manufacturers would pay the wages and other benefits, bank loan, payment of back-to-back letters of credit, premium of insurance and high transportation cost if such a situation continues.
"Who will take the responsibility if business orders are shifted to other competitor countries resulting in unemployment of thousands of people due to political activities," he questioned adding: "We, entrepreneurs will not take such responsibility."
To continue export growth and save the national economy, the BMGEA president requested the political parties to find out a solution through discussion.
Replying to a question, he said if necessary, the BGMEA leaders will meet BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia.
munni_fe@yahoo.com
RMG sector loses Tk 4.50b in seven days of blockade
FE Report | Published: January 13, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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