The neglect of the RMG industry

THE government seems to be treating the key RMG industry shabbily. There is little concern in the corridors of power about the problems facing the sector. According to the association of RMG industry, BGMEA, 40 per cent of RMG factories could close down in the coming months if the government fails to act. The BGMEA has been desperately seeking cash assistance and other support from the government for nearly a year. Despite repeated assurance, the government is yet to provide any such assistance. The governments in countries, which compete with Bangladesh in garments exports, give all assistance to their garments sector. This give their industry an edge over Bangladeshi exporters.
The policy planners in Bangladesh government, so far failed to understand the relevance of extending the required assistance to the RMG sector in time to enable it to remain in competition against rivals. Even the spectre of the closure of 40 per cent of garments factories seems to be keeping the government strangely indifferent to BGMEA's appeal for better facilitation.
Shamshul Huda
Pallabi, Mirpur, Dhaka.