The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Leader of the Opposition in Parliament and BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia yesterday said that both local and foreign investment came down at zero level and industries and trade and commerce are at a stake due to deterioration of law and order, extortion and tender manipulation by ruling party backed people.

Addressing the closing ceremony of the 20th BATEXPO, Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition, organised by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at Pan Pacific Sonargaon hotel, she expressed her deep concern over the recent chaotic situation in garments sector.

Khaleda alleged that conspiracy to create instability and chaotic situation in garments sector is going on. It will not be unlikely of having foreign hands or provocation from competitive countries behind it," she observed.

She said the situation became severe following clashes between the rivals of ruling party cadres particularly centering the 'jhute' business in the sector. "The garments industry is passing through a crisis period due to the recession. The sector cannot sustain if anarchic situation is added with the situation," she observed.

The opposition leader called upon the government to improve law and order and congenial atmosphere for the sake of country's economy.

She asked the government to roll out a financial stimulus package for the garments sector to pull it out from downturn.

Khaleda said the package was designed to assist the agriculture, power and export sectors, ignoring the garments sector but the money is yet to reach to the export sector.

Criticising the government for not to be pro-active despite uttering warning against the culprits, she asked the government to immediately form separate industrial police and intelligence units.

It is the demand of time to constitute industrial police force and industrial intelligence unit. There is no scope to waste time," Begum Zia said.

Presided over by BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy, the function was also addressed, among others, by BNP Secretary General Khondoker Delwar Hossain, former ministers M Shamsul Islam and Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Barkatullah Bulu, MP, BGMEA vice presidents Md Shafiul Islam and Md Siddiqur Rahman.

Referring to the declining of export volume, the opposition leader said the apprehension that the impact of global economic recession will fall to Bangladesh slowly proved true.

Export in first six month of this year declined by 12 percent than that of the same period of the previous year. Even export reduction rate was 29 per cent in the month of September which is unprecedented in recent history, Khaleda said.

The BNP Chairperson thanked the garments owners those have implemented the minimum wages in their respective garments and called upon the BGMEA leaders to ensure payments of garments workers at first week of each month.

She emphasised the need for building a good relationship between the workers and owners advised the BGMEA leaders to be careful and cautious so that no dispute or resentment are created.

She said friendly relations could be established if the owners exchange views on all issues with the workers once a month, if possible.

The BNP Chairperson hailed the BGMEA for taking different welfare-oriented programmes for garments workers and their dependents.

BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy recalled the pioneering of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in flourishing the garments sector.

He called upon the opposition leader to play a pro-active role to create positive public opinions for the economic development and during government decision for the garments sector.

The BGMEA president emphasised the need for reaching consensus by both the ruling and opposition parties particularly for greater economic interest and to create a congenial atmosphere for trade and commerce and investment.