The Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, has said that garment exports have not decreased; instead, exports have increased despite factory closures.
He said: “I saw in a newspaper today that 51 factories have closed. Factories will close and open—this is a natural process.”
He made these remarks while responding to journalists' questions during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital on Sunday.
Shafiqul Alam said: “The government monitors whether Bangladesh’s exports are increasing. Our exports grew by 7% in September, 16-18% in October, approximately 22% in November, and about 18% in December. That’s how our growth is. Most of the factories facing issues have owners who fled. These owners left all their burdens on us, looted the banks, and fled with everything without paying their workers’ wages. They are now enjoying the spectacle.”
The Press Secretary further said: “An increase in exports means job creation. Overall, our exports are increasing. At one point, Bangladesh had 4,000 factories, which together exported $20 billion, as their individual export volumes were small. Now, each factory is becoming massive, like a giant. In 1991, Bangladesh exported $1 billion, but now a single group like Hamim Group exports $1 billion on its own. We are not manipulating export figures in the slightest. During Sheikh Hasina's tenure, there was manipulation year after year. Who is behind the vandalism? Two or three factories. Their contribution to Bangladesh’s total exports is negligible."