The current state of readymade garment (RMG) industries in the port city is wearisome due to faulty infrastructure and inadequacy of gas, power and connectivity. The country’s RMG industry had actually started journey from Chittagong and its contribution to the overall RMG export stood at over 30 per cent. Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury, First Vice-President of Bangladesh Garments’ Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA) said this in an exclusive interview with The Daily Observer. But the contribution of Chittagong RMG industries has now dropped to only 11 per cent, he lamented. “Besides,” Nasir added, “the number of RMG industries in Chittagong has declined to 300 only from over 700.” The BGMEA leader claimed RMG industries in the port city for the last five years have been facing an antagonistic situation that has obstructed the overall growth of RMG sector in Chittagong. “Lack of gas, power and other infrastructural facilities has thwarted the development of this sector,” he opined. For this reason, Nasir said most of the entrepreneurs prefer Dhaka to Chittagong these days. He demanded that the government create more scopes for the RMG industries in Chittagong in order to contribute to the Bangladesh’s Vision of 50 billion dollar RMG export by 2021. Chittagong as a gateway of the country with huge natural treasures has every potentiality to contribute to the country’s vision of 50 billion dollar export, he argued. The BGMEA leader said, “Chittagong is the commercial hub of the country as 95 per cent of Bangladesh’s export and import is handled at the Chittagong port.” RMG industry started its journey in Chittagong in 1978 and has been playing a significant role in export sector of the country since then. Besides, the country’s biggest Export Processing Zone (EPZ) is situated in Chittagong, which is contributing to the national economy also. Meanwhile, the sector has created job opportunities for three lakh workers in RMG industries here. As a lot of industries in the commercial capital have become sick ‘due to shortage of power and gas,’ the BGMEA leader demanded uninterrupted supply of gas and power for the newly-installed industries to help encourage investment in the country. He, however, said the country’s RMG sector is passing ‘a very critical juncture’ following the suspension of GSP facilities by US
