‘Compliance not possible without factory relocation’

Stating that ensuring the compliance is not possible without the relocation of poorly-equipped factories, business leaders at a meeting in Dhaka on Wednesday suggested the government set up an industrial zone with all utility services either near Chittagong or Dhaka for shifting the RMG factories. “Many of our garment factories are now facing difficulties in ensuring compliance. It’s not possible to ensure that in all factories with the existing infrastructures. The government can set up an industrial zone either near Chittagong or Dhaka where there are gas, power and other facilities to relocate the factories so that they can ensure the compliance,” said former FBCCI president Anisul Haq. Echoing Anisul, BGMEA president M Atiqul Islam suggested providing interest-free loan to the small factory owners for relocating their ferocities. The Ministry of Commerce arranged the meeting at TCB Bhaban with a committee formed to advise the Commerce Minister for the development and expansion of the country’s trade and business. It was the first meeting of the 27-member committee formed on March 9 with leaders of the business community. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed chaired the meeting. Addressing the meeting, Tofail said the country needs to diversify both its products and markets. “We’ll not remain confined to a limited market and product. We’ll diversify our products and expand our market in the international arena. Our government will take every necessary step to this end,” he told the meeting, according to a news agency.