RMG makers seek duty-free access to EU

With Bangladesh's LDC graduation, a taskforce would be formed involving BGMEA and the ministries concerned to carry out official discussions with the EU to ensure continuity of duty-free access to EU market. The taskforce through apparel diplomacy will endeavor to ensure GSP Plus for Bangladesh. 

Besides, regular apparel items will be included in the list of products for duty-free access to China for exports, he said adding, in consultation with international organisations, policies will be formed to bring equality in terms of fair price and delivery of products,. It will help ensure fair price and protect other interests of RMG entrepreneurs in their business contracts. 

Faruque Hasan, team leader of Sammilita Parishad contesting for elections of the board of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturing and Exporters Association (BGMEA) presented an election manifest at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka Hotel on Tuesday. On the conference he stated some important points.

Former BGMEA presidents Salam Murshedy, Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Md Siddiqur Rahman, among others, were present.

Speaking at programme, he said, if elected, they will promote the cause of Sustainable Textile of the Asian Region (STAR), appoint lobbyists to get duty-free access for Bangladeshi apparel to the US market, abolish the fumigation system for US cotton import and ensure duty-free access to the US market for the products which are made using US cotton, so that products can be delivered to customers at an affordable price. 

For ensuring duty-free access to EU for exports talks with the government and the EU will be held so that Bangladesh can continue to enjoy duty-free access to the EU market for 7 to 8 years after graduation from LDC.

He urged the government to increase cash incentives to 5 percent from 4 percent for exporting RMG products to new markets. Road show will be organised in countries like South Korea, Japan, Latin America, and India and arrangements will be made to ensure participation at international fairs by Bangladesh apparel makers.

They will work for reform of the Labour Law involving the government, NGOs, labour organizations, the Ministry of Labour and ILO to modernise the Labour Department and bring about industry-friendly changes to the mindset of labour organisations. 

Besides, they will propose amendment to the Labour Law to bring about changes in the mandatory wage revision of RMG workers in every five year.  

He proposed the government to build infrastructure in compliance with international standards at the economic zones, so that SME entrepreneurs can lease land along with infrastructure at low cost for running their businesses. 

With the support of the government, introducing special insurance for export-oriented RMG industry, the new leadership will ensure payment guarantee with buyers' bank against orders. 

They will set up zone-wise training centres to provide trainings to the workers of SME factories as most of them don’t have their own training centers. Besides, the existing training centres of BGMEA would be modernised and need-based training courses would be introduced to match with the market demand, said Faruque.  

They will also take initiatives to facilitate faster communication between Uttara office of BGMEA and important business locations in Dhaka, Mirpur, and Gazipur in line with the plans under the Dhaka metro project.

With Bangladesh's LDC graduation, a taskforce will be formed involving BGMEA and the ministries concerned to carry out official discussions with the EU to ensure continuity of duty-free access to EU market. The taskforce through apparel diplomacy will endeavor to ensure GSP Plus for Bangladesh. 

Besides, regular apparel items will be included in the list of products for duty-free access to China for exports, he said adding, in consultation with international organisations, policies will be formed to bring equality in terms of fair price and delivery of products,. It will help ensure fair price and protect other interests of RMG entrepreneurs in their business contracts. 

Besides, they will promote the cause of Sustainable Textile of the Asian Region (STAR), appoint lobbyists to get duty-free access for Bangladeshi apparel to the US market, abolish the fumigation system for US cotton import and ensure duty-free access to the US market for the products which are made using US cotton, so that products can be delivered to customers at an affordable price. 

For ensuring duty-free access to EU for exports talks with the government and the EU will be held so that Bangladesh can continue to enjoy duty-free access to the EU market for 7 to 8 years after graduation from LDC.

He urged the government to increase cash incentives to 5 percent from 4 percent for exporting RMG products to new markets. Road show will be organised in countries like South Korea, Japan, Latin America, and India and arrangements will be made to ensure participation at international fairs by Bangladesh apparel makers.

They will work for reform of the Labour Law involving the government, NGOs, labour organizations, the Ministry of Labour and ILO to modernise the Labour Department and bring about industry-friendly changes to the mindset of labour organisations.