The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) yesterday demanded political stability and right economic policies to shoot up country's exports to US$25 billion by 2013.

The apex export body raised the demand at an Iftar party at a city hotel, which was attended by policymakers, foreign diplomats, bureaucrats, civil society members, researchers and economists.

BGMEA president Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez said, "As industry leaders, we can promise to attain this milestone (of exports) provided that the overall situation is in favour of us."

He expressed gratitude to the caretaker government for its role in ensuring 525 days free of hartals to operate the US$ 10.7-billion industry smoothly.

"It's our earnest belief that other activities such as the Regulatory Reforms Commission, anti-corruption drive, and an independent election commission will only help drive the country forward in the right direction," Parvez said.

He stressed the need for active public-private initiative to improve the country's image, develop human resources and improve infrastructure like gas, electricity, highways and economic zones by encouraging private investors with right policy supports. Parvez said only 5 per cent of the industry of around 4,000 factories, which fail to pay workers' wages and other social benefits regularly, were dictating the image of the entire industry.

He, however, acknowledged that everything was not going well in the industry and there were numerous areas that deserve improvement.

"But, we cannot do so without the help of the people who really count," he said, seeking support of the policy movers attended the party.

"What we can do without, however, is the help of the destructive elements that are taking us all for a ride; and without the bad publicity that is shaping the public opinion against the industry and its entrepreneurs," said the BGMEA president.