CHITTAGONG, Aug 4: Chittagong garment factory owners were losing their competitive edge over others in the country in the absence of adequate utility facilities, including gas and electricity.
The region's garment factories had been facing inadequate supplies of gas and electricity for the last several years and resultantly many businesses had been relocated elsewhere from Chittagong.
First vice president of the BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury pointed out the problems at a press conference in the port city on Tuesday.
It was organised in the BGMEA's conference hall for Chittagong region at Khulsi on the occasion of the Bangladesh Apparel and Safety Expo (BASEXPO), Chittagong 2015 to be held the five-star hotel Radisson Blu Chittagong Bay View in the port city from August 6 to 8.
He said Chittagong in the past contributed 40 per cent of the country's total garment exports in terms of the volume, but it had now come down below 15 per cent.
"All the garment hubs, including Ashuganj, Narayanganj, Tongi, Savar, Dhaka and even Bhaluka have been getting uninterrupted power and gas supplies while the Chittagong region's garment factories are being deprived of electricity and gas for the last six or seven years," Mr Chowdhury said.
The BGMEA leader said that the country's garment industry started its journey from the port city of Chittagong and the first unit (Desh Garments) was set up in the Kalurghat heavy industrial area back in 1978.
Now there are 700 garment units in Chittagong, about 450 of them are functioning. Dhaka has more than 3,000 garment units.
Chittagong had the advantage of exporting more garments abroad with the country's prime maritime port located there. About 95 per cent of the total export and imports take place through this port, he said.
"I don't know why only Chittagong region's factories should suffer short supplies of gas, electricity and other utilities. Now when you say about BGMEA's branding Bangladesh, the buyers will think it is based in Dhaka. The buyers are even reluctant to come to Chittagong to see samples and place orders," he said.
The Chittagong region has a lot to give in the apparel sector with the most modern designs and accessories. Keeping an eye on that, Chittagong is organising the three-day Apparel and Safety Expo, one of the largest events, he said.
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