The New Nation - Internet Edition

BUSINESS REPORT

Country's garment buying houses yesterday alleged that they were facing serious harassment by the Bangladesh Bank.

"Buying houses have become the victims of serious harassment and lengthy process as the Bangladesh Bank is compelling them to get registered through wrong application of the law," said Qayuum Reza Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBHA), while addressing a press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity auditorium yesterday morning.

"Normal activities of the garment buying houses are being hampered due to this lengthy registration process and undesirable harassment by the Bangladesh Bank," he said.

Qayuum Reza Chowdhury said even the registered buying houses need to take fresh permission from the Bangladesh Bank if they intend to work with new buyers. Many orders are being cancelled due to this lengthy process. "Bangladesh Bank has been taking minimum 15 days to maximum three months to give permission regarding the L/C transfer. What is the motive behind it," he asked.

BGBHA secretary general S.A. Nasir replied to the queries of journalists, while the organization's vice-president K.I. Hossain, Tariqul Islam, Saiful Islam and Shah Jamal, among others, were present.

Qayuum Reza Chowdhury said the samples, which are sent by their buyers as orders need to get released paying high duty, which is contrary to the country's export trade.

"We demand of the authorities concerned to release the samples without taking any duty," he said. "The garment factories have been enjoying the same facility. So, why we should be deprived of it."

The BGBHA president said the garment buying houses have been paying taxes at a rate of 4 per cent at the source. "We demand of the government to consider this tax as final tax on us," he said. "The tax paid by the garment factories at source is also considered as final tax," he added.

He also called for inclusion of the BGBHA representatives in all policy-making committees of the ready-made garment sector. "It will bring significant benefit to the country's export-oriented garment sector," he observed.

Qayuum Reza Chowdhury further said the European Union has withdrawn restrictions on Bangladesh's major competitor China from this year. The United States is also going to withdraw this restriction from 2009. Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector has been facing stiff competition from many countries like Vietnam and Cambodia.

"The ready-made garment sector are now facing many challenges like labour unrest, compliance issues, and propaganda at both home and abroad," he said.

The BGBHA president said the buying houses have been playing the role of marketing in the country's garment sector. Lion's share of the orders in the country's ready-made garment sector comes through the buying houses. "Unfortunately, it is true that the role of the buying houses is not properly recognized. Rather, they are the victims of negligence and discrimination. Moreover, the buying houses have been facing various types of harassment in carrying out their normal activities lawfully," he said.