The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Country's business people yesterday urged the government to provide protection to their goods transportation during the curfew hours to keep the supply chain uninterrupted.

Especially, the Readymade Garment (RMG) exporters have urged the government to ensure transportation of their goods to and from Chitagong during curfew hours to help meet the deadline of lead-time.

Both the businessmen urged the government to keep their trade outside the purview of curfew. Disruption of supply chain may fuel increase of price of essentials, they said. "We are observing the situation. If the curfew continues for some time, the government should consider exempting the export-based industries," president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Fazlul Haque told newsmen yesterday.

He said production is going on at different places, especially in Narayanganj and Gazipur, where curfew has not been imposed the finished products are stacked in the warehouses.

He noted that the country exports garment products worth about US$25 million a day, and the sector has taken a setback since last night following the curfew.

Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), hoped that the situation would improve soon.

He maintained that the chaos preceding the clampdown needed to be dealt with strictly. The BGMEA president also urged the government to consider exempting the RMG units, its production and shipment from the curfew's restrictions.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industries president, Hossain Khaled, feared that the situation will deepen the country's image crisis, asking the government to keep the export wheel moving.

Talking to The New Nation businessmen from different wholesale markets said the government has to ensure smooth supply of essentials to keep the price stable.

Unless goods transportation is ensured during the curfew hours, it may put negative impact on the market, they said.