Army will protect garment industry, says Moeen
Sunday, 9 November 2008
FE Report
Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed Saturday assured apparel manufacturers of providing all support to protect the garment industry saying that the industry now turned into a national asset.
"Bangladesh army was with you and they will protect the industry," Moeen said adding: vested quarter was seen in the past to destroy it.
"None will be allowed to spoil it, we will protect the industry," he reaffirmed.
General Moeen was addressing as the chief guest the concluding session of the three-day long BATEXPO-2008 held at a city hotel.
Stefan Frowein, ambassador, head of the delegation of European Commission in Bangladesh, and US Ambassador in Bangladesh James F Moriarty joined the concluding programme as the special guests.
Moeen also said the garment manufacturers should feel that the workers are the indispensable partners of the RMG sector.
"Workers are your partners and there will be no outsider if you feel for them," Moeen added.
He also said the manufacturers, the government and the workers will have to work shoulder-to-shoulder for improvement of the sector adding that the sector which employed mostly women had brought a social change in the country.
Moeen expressed the hope that the garment sector which earned US$ 10.7 billion in the last fiscal might earn at least US$ 15 billion within the next few years adding: "We will help achieve the goal."
Turning to the ongoing global recession, the Chief of Army Staff said Bangladesh is feeling the pulse of the recession.
Urging local apparel manufacturers to be prepared for the recession, he said proper planning will help overcome the crisis.
Moeen stressed the need for sustainable growth saying entrepreneurs, workers and the government must have a common vision and mission to attain the goal.
Recalling the deplorable situation at Chittagong port before 1/11, he said the port has now become an efficient port.
"The ships' stay at the port was over 13 days but now it has come down to 2.93 days. This helped increase the port's efficiency by 40 per cent and reduced the cost by 30 per cent," he added.
Speaking as a special guest Jams F Moriarty said Bangladesh garments need diversification to overcome the present crisis.
"We don't know how long the crisis will remain. I don't know how Bangladesh will be affected but diversification of RMG might help the country overcome the situation," he added.
Stefan Frowein said the EU move for new rules of origin will not affect the LDCs adding the changes will be helpful for their future growth.
Addressing the session, BGMEA president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury said it is imperative that Bangladesh should have 5, 10 and 15-year master plans for the sector.
He said for the first time Bangladesh passed 667 days without hartal adding: "the future government and the opposition leadership should make commitment in this respect and vandalism in the name of protest cannot be acceptable."
Turning to the global recession the BGMEA chief said there is need for public-private partnership to face the global challenge.
Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed Saturday assured apparel manufacturers of providing all support to protect the garment industry saying that the industry now turned into a national asset.
"Bangladesh army was with you and they will protect the industry," Moeen said adding: vested quarter was seen in the past to destroy it.
"None will be allowed to spoil it, we will protect the industry," he reaffirmed.
General Moeen was addressing as the chief guest the concluding session of the three-day long BATEXPO-2008 held at a city hotel.
Stefan Frowein, ambassador, head of the delegation of European Commission in Bangladesh, and US Ambassador in Bangladesh James F Moriarty joined the concluding programme as the special guests.
Moeen also said the garment manufacturers should feel that the workers are the indispensable partners of the RMG sector.
"Workers are your partners and there will be no outsider if you feel for them," Moeen added.
He also said the manufacturers, the government and the workers will have to work shoulder-to-shoulder for improvement of the sector adding that the sector which employed mostly women had brought a social change in the country.
Moeen expressed the hope that the garment sector which earned US$ 10.7 billion in the last fiscal might earn at least US$ 15 billion within the next few years adding: "We will help achieve the goal."
Turning to the ongoing global recession, the Chief of Army Staff said Bangladesh is feeling the pulse of the recession.
Urging local apparel manufacturers to be prepared for the recession, he said proper planning will help overcome the crisis.
Moeen stressed the need for sustainable growth saying entrepreneurs, workers and the government must have a common vision and mission to attain the goal.
Recalling the deplorable situation at Chittagong port before 1/11, he said the port has now become an efficient port.
"The ships' stay at the port was over 13 days but now it has come down to 2.93 days. This helped increase the port's efficiency by 40 per cent and reduced the cost by 30 per cent," he added.
Speaking as a special guest Jams F Moriarty said Bangladesh garments need diversification to overcome the present crisis.
"We don't know how long the crisis will remain. I don't know how Bangladesh will be affected but diversification of RMG might help the country overcome the situation," he added.
Stefan Frowein said the EU move for new rules of origin will not affect the LDCs adding the changes will be helpful for their future growth.
Addressing the session, BGMEA president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury said it is imperative that Bangladesh should have 5, 10 and 15-year master plans for the sector.
He said for the first time Bangladesh passed 667 days without hartal adding: "the future government and the opposition leadership should make commitment in this respect and vandalism in the name of protest cannot be acceptable."
Turning to the global recession the BGMEA chief said there is need for public-private partnership to face the global challenge.