Don\\\'t pay heed to propaganda over RMG

The Australian buyers have been urged not to pay heed to any propaganda over Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) industry and to visit factories in person to see the progress on the ground.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed made the appeal while addressing a joint forum at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Australia on Wednesday, according to a message received in Dhaka, report agencies.

School of Management of RMIT University, Centre for Sustainable Organisation and Works, European Union Centre, Bangladesh High Commission in Canberra and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) jointly organised the forum.

 "Don't pay heed to propaganda…visit factories in person to see the real progress," the minister emphasised.

The minister said Bangladesh has taken all necessary steps to create a worker-friendly environment in the RMG factories after the unexpected Rana Plaza disaster.

Within a short span of time, there has been a marked improvement in the areas of factory building and fire safety and workers' wages, he said, adding that the international community has already expressed satisfaction over the progress.

Alleging that a vested quarter is trying to circulate propaganda against the RMG sector of Bangladesh, the commerce minister urged the Australian importers, businesspeople, consumers and other authorities concerned to visit RMG factories.

The minister expressed the hope that Australia would extend its support to help Bangladesh achieve US$50 billion export target by 2021.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to Australia Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, BGMEA M Atiqul Islam and buyers' representatives also spoke at the forum.