The New Nation - Internet Edition

Since April 1 the Chittagong Customs House has stopped release of imported plastic raw materials used by the plastic manufacturing industries. These industries manufacture packing carton, hanger and slip polybag which are used by export-oriented garment factories.

Four days' stoppage of supply of raw materials has led to a chain effect in the industry and the relevant sector is apprehending non-availability of packaging materials. The Bangladesh corrugated carton and accessories manufacturers and exporters association (BCCAMEA) has informed the garment manufacturing sector of their inability to supply garment packaging materials because of interruptions in the supply of raw materials. The Cause of stoppage of supply of plastic raw materials by the Chittagong customs House is not all that clear Apparently, this is due to absence of inscription on the materials the mandatory declaration that Import Under Bond, Not for sale."

Importers have informed that the exporting countries have declined to inscribe the above seal on the goods which according to the BCCAMEA is possible to do at the Chittagong port by spending only Tk 2,000/- per container. If the exporting countries are to do the job the expense for each container of goods would be Tk.56,000/-. If this calculation is correct then the matter needs utmost consideration of the authority. The BCCAMEA has informed at a press conference that it had talks with the customs authority. They claimed that without any declaration from the NBR the customs house has stopped clearing the plastic raw materials.

If plastic raw materials are not released immediately many other garment accessories manufacturing mills will be closed down rendering about one lakh workers jobless. The garment manufacturing units due to non-availability of packing materials, again, may fail to meet their export demands.