Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) outgoing President Md Siddiqur Rahman has advised the new board to sell apparel sector achievement in safety standards, eco-friendly factory and products quality to build the country’s image abroad.
The BGMEA president came up with remarks while exchanging views with journalist at BGMEA new headquarters at Uttara in Dhaka on Wednesday.
Newly elected BGMEA President Rubana Huq will take over charge of the association from the outgoing president on April 20.
“For the last five years, we were busy implementing safety remediation of apparel factories as prescribed by Accord and Alliance, two platforms of global retailers,” said Siddiqur.
Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety left Bangladesh and Accord on Fire and Building Safety are close to ending their operation here.
“Now, the new board should try to rebuild image of Bangladesh by selling the achievement in safety standards in the apparel sector, green building, quality products and on time shipment.
“If we can rebuild Bangladesh's image abroad, we will not have to look back,” said Siddiqur.
Replying to a question, the outgoing president termed the relocation of BGMEA office from Karwan Bazar to Uttara as the biggest success of his tenure while another remarkable success of his board was a garments park in Mirsarai Economic Zone of Chittagong.
He also claimed to have no failure in his 3-year-and-seven-month tenure.
Meanwhile, BGMEA has demanded 5% cash incentive for one year in the upcoming budget as crisis-time assistance.
“The apparel sector is going though crucial time. So, as crisis-time assistance, we are demanding 5% cash incentives for the final exporters for at least one year in the upcoming budget,” said Siddiqur.
“It will costs the government Tk14,000 crore but in return it will give new employment and create new entrepreneurs,” he argued.
The apparel sector leader also urged the government to keep the apparel sector out of valued added tax (VAT) preview to avert harassment.
It also demanded stern action against the business people who would misuse the bond facilities and defame the total sector.
In addition, the BGMEA also called for quick implementation of custom automation.
