Save the garments sector

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I humbly request the government to save the garments sector. This is a major foreign exchange-earning sector in our country. Through garments we are increasing our foreign currency reserve. But now-a-days it seems foreign buyers are discouraged by the garments sector as the factories fail to deliver products in time due to different problems.
The garments industry is really in danger. A large number of people are working here. Bangladesh is a developing country and its economic development depends firstly on agriculture and secondly, on industry. Though Bangladesh is not thriving in industries in general, the RMG sector has made big strides in the recent past. It has created an opportunity of employment for millions.
There are about 3000 garments factories in the country. About 75 per cent of these are in Dhaka and the rest are in Chittagong and Khulna. These units employ 5.0 million people and 85 per cent of them are illiterate rural women. Labour is not as cheap anywhere in the world as it is in Bangladesh so the RMG sector has emerged as the largest source of earning foreign exchange.
The garments sector often pays dearly because of political unrest, hartal, terrorism etc. In spite of this, prospects for the garments industry in Bangladesh are still bright. Skilled labour should be developed, VAT and taxes should be reduced, workers should get fair salary and other facilities, more advanced EPZ should be established and problems relating to export should be removed to save and promote the garments sector.

Mohammad Sultan
83, Hazi Abdullah Sarker Lane, Bangshal, Dhaka
mohammadsultan2010@gmail.com