Export target may be set today

Naim-Ul-KarimbrThe government sits today (Sunday) with the country's leading foreign exchange earners' associations including the apparel industry to set the export target for the on-going fiscal after holding discussions, the commerce ministry officials said Saturday.brThey said the meeting will discuss the overall situation of the export earning sectors particularly apparel industry that faces various odds at home and abroad which is a cause of concern to its further growth.brWe will also discuss with the second largest export earning sector - frozen foods- as it also faces problems in the global market, a senior ministry official said.brHe said the meeting will intensely discuss problems faced by the manufacturers of other potential sectors including pharmaceuticals, leather and leather goods, jute and jute goods, tea, ship builders, footwear and terry towel so that they can be supported with the right kind of policies to boost export earning.brState-owned Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has already estimated nearly $16.50 billion export target for the country in the current fiscal year, he added.brOf the total estimated export target, the official said earnings from garments including knitwear and woven have been set at around $12.50 billion. brThe chief of the EPB Shahab Ullah told the FE on Saturday We have convened the meeting with the leading exporters tomorrow to have their opinions.brThe meeting convened prior to setting the target for the private sector export earners will also take into account their problems in manufacturing and exporting goods in global market to boost foreign exchange, he said.brOfficials said the EPB has lowered the export target this year as shortage in gas supply has already hampered production in a number of factories of many potential sectors including garments while quality issues created a volatile situation in export of frozen foods to global market.brLeading export-earning associations including Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufactures and Exporters Association and Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association have been invited in the meeting to be held at the EPB, they said.