The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed has said the government is determined to make sure that businessmen don't have to be victims of unjust harassment in any way.

Formally inaugurating the Batexpo 2007--country's biggest apparel show--he also said that the government is pursuing through diplomatic, business as well as legislative channels for the passage of a bill in the US Congress for market access of Bangladesh's ready-made garments to the United States.

The three-day Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition (Batexpo 2007) has started at Hotel Sonargaon under the auspices of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Advisers of the caretaker government, diplomats, representatives of international organizations, international buyers, owners of garment and textile industries and leaders of business community were present at the inaugural function.

Prior to delivering his inaugural speech, the Chief Adviser mentioned the prevailing top danger signal about a powerful cyclonic storm advancing towards the country's coast and said that the government has taken preparation to face the calamity.

He prayed for divine blessings to overcome the danger and sought cooperation of the countrymen in tackling the situation.

Referring to interaction with business community during a dialogue on Economy of Bangladesh on September 5, the Chief Adviser said he had informed the businessmen about some initiatives of the government for their benefit, including the formation of Regulatory Reforms Commission (RRC) for removing harassment and uncertainty in business arena. The government has already introduced it.

Besides, Better Business Forum (BBF) headed by the head of government is being formed to increase coordination between government and businesses.

About the initiative for duty-free access of Bangladesh RMG to the United States, the Chief Adviser said during his recent US visit, he strongly placed before the authorities concerned the necessity of allowing duty-free access of Bangladeshi apparels to the American market.

He mentioned that recently a Bill titled "The New Partnership for Development Act of 2007' has been placed in the US Congress. If the bill is passed, garment items of LDCs, including Bangladesh, will get duty-and quota-free entry into the American market.

He informed the function that necessary instruction has been given to the Bangladesh Embassy in the United States for carrying out effort to get the bill passed.

Dr Fakhruddin gave assurance to BGMEA of extending all-out cooperation in this regard.

The US is the single-largest market of RMG of Bangladesh, and if this Bill is passed, apparel export to America will increase to a large extent, the function was told.

About providing salary to garment workers, the Chief Adviser expressed his gladness knowing that BGMEA members are providing minimum wages to workers as per recommendation of the Minimum Wage Board.

He urged the BGMEA members to ensure "100 per cent compliance and give salary in time".

He further appreciated various pragmatic initiatives of BGMEA, including imparting training to unemployed youths in Monga-prone regions and arranging job in garment industry, and setting up of 10 medical centres to provide free treatment to workers.

He also mentioned the signing of MoU between BGMEA and BSCIC for setting up 'Garment Village' at Baushia in Gajaria upazila of Munshiganj district where 390 plots, including workers' dormitory, on 300 acres of land are being developed.

The garment sector earns about 76 per cent of export income of Bangladesh, amounting to about 9.2 billion US dollars.

Around 24 lakh people, 85 percent of them women, work in the garment industries to stitch world-class wears.

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin formally opened the Apparel and Textile Exhibition by cutting ribbon and went around some stalls.

A total of 67 enterprises are participating in the exposition to showcase their products at 82 stalls set up at the annual fair.

Commerce and Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam and Labour and Employment Adviser Anwarul Iqbal also spoke at the function presided over by BGMEA president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Pervez.