BGMEA president Mahmud Hasan Khan said they discussed export diversification within the garment sector, reopening of closed factories and many factories’ struggle for survival.
Representatives of two top Bangladesh garment trade bodies recently met PM Tarique Rahman and urged him to ensure uninterrupted power and energy supply, quick release of export receipts from banks, reopening of closed factories and easing of customs regulations.
BKMEA raised concerns about misuse of the bond facility and urged action against violators of bond licences.
104 factories have informed the BGMEA about their closure till now, Khan said. BGMEA will scrutinise these cases to identify the genuine reasons for the closures.
Following the scrutiny, the association will send recommendations for reopening these factories, as the government is working to open a Tk 200-billion fund to assist their revival.
BKMEA president Mohammad Hatem said some 400 factories closed in the last three years—nearly 300 of them due to non-cooperation from banks. He said banks release export receipts to exporters’ lien accounts, but delays in payment often force loans into default, leaving exporters unable to pay suppliers on time.
He also demanded uninterrupted supply of power and gas to industrial units as recent shortages of fuel oil have severely affected productivity, according to domestic media ooutlets.
Hatem raised concerns about misuse of the bond facility and urged action against violators of bond licences.
He also called for easing the rules of the National Board of Revenue, particularly customs procedures, to smoothen export and import processes and reduce lead times.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
