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Export of recycled, processed garment wastage faces setback

Tuesday, 24 June 2008


The export of recycled and processed garment wastage appears to face a serious setback and the blame for this goes to the absence of a separate HS Code, reports UNB.

Sources said the present HS Code for garment wastage and that for spinning mills are now the same (HS Code 52029910), even though these are totally different wastage and used differently.

There are currently over 10 to 12 thousand machines with employment of 300,000 people producing some 300,000 metric tonnes of recycled and processed items a year that is used for making mattresses.

Of the total production, 250,000 metric tonnes are exported to India at a rate of US$ 150 per tonne.

Meanwhile, the government has taken a move to fix the export price at US$ 1.60 per kg for cotton waste, a byproduct from spinning mills, following a proposal from Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA).

According to the sources, all formalities have already been finalised and the Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) in this connection will be circulated soon.

But, the export of recycled and processed garment wastage is apprehended to be affected seriously, as the HS Code of the two items are the same.

Talking to the news agency, Bangladesh Textile and Garments Waste Processors and Exporters Association senior vice president Md Nazir Hossain said, "It's totally ridiculous! Why will these two items be considered under the one HS Code."