Stressing the need for reducing dependence on the government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged ready-made garment (RMG) factory owners to help complete the work on Garment Village at Gazaria in Munshiganj for further development of the country’s RMG industry.
“Our government has allocated land for setting up the Garment Village at Gazaria… necessary work is underway to develop the village and it could be complete faster if you took some initiatives and spend some money. But you are close-fisted trying to save money, and that is the problem,” she said during a meeting with the newly elected office-bearers of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at her office. BGMEA President Md Siddiqur Rahman led the delegation, reported UNB.
Hasina said all facilities are being ensured from gas supply to communications to establish the Garment Village. “There will be no problem at the village if you start spending money and relocating your factories there.”
“Businessmen will have to come forward to solve problems on their own,” she said stressing the importance of reducing dependence on the government.
Hasina also called upon the RMG factory owners to explore newer markets across the world to give further boost to the country’s export and thus strengthen the national economy.
Terming the present government a business-friendly one, she said the Awami League government never wants to do business as it works to enhance and promote business activities to give the economy a stronger footing.
Hasina said the government always extended its support to the RMG sector to help it forward, foiling all national and international conspiracies.
“There were plots at national and international levels to impede garment export. But the plots were not successful as we took proper steps in this regard.”
On high bank interest rate, the prime minister urged the private banks to take necessary measures to this end. The state-owned banks are providing loans at a relatively lower rate of interest, she added.
The prime minister also stressed the need for ensuring welfare of the workers by the industry owners as they are contributing towards making the country’s economy stronger.
Pointing to a number of incidents in the RMG sector, Hasina said her government handled all those tragic accidents very well and extended all-out support to the victims.
Former BGMEA presidents Tipu Munshi, MP and Atiqul Islam also spoke on the occasion.
