Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders have demanded the government extend the incentive package timeline for the sector's safety, while at the same time, urging announcement of another incentive package considering the Covid-19 second wave.
BGMEA President, Dr. Rubana Huq at a virtual press conference titled 'Reality of Garment Industry in Post and Ongoing Covid-19 Situation,' placed the demands on Monday. Chairman of BGMEA standing committee on public relations, Khan Monirul Alam Shuvo presided over the virtual conference.
She said, "The time limit of the first incentive package, scheduled to be repaid within 24 months starting from January next, should be extended ‘as we are already in the second wave of coronavirus, due to which, our export orders have declined again.’
"Export orders that started to recover in August- September, witnessed negative growth for the second wave of coronavirus in October and November. The October export growth was -7.87 percent as the buyer countries are facing the worst of the coronavirus pandemic," she added.
" To face such an uncertain situation, and ensure the garment sector’s safety, we again want the government to extend its helping hand by enhancing the time limit of the first incentive package for at least five years, and announce another incentive for the survival of the industry in the second wave," she further said.
Replying to a question the BGMEA president predicted that the export situation is expected to see a positive growth after Christmas. And after March next year, the industry will be able to turn around facing all odds.
"Due to the pandemic outbreak, around 65 countries cancelled orders worth US$ 3.15 billion of 1150 factories of the country. However, following the improved situation, 90 percent of the cancelled orders were reinstated. But we are again falling behind. In this situation, we must have policy support to survive," she concluded.
