The government’s efforts to overcome fears caused by sudden isolated incidents like the killing of two foreign nationals are restoring confidence of the buyers who source readymade garments from Bangladesh, business leaders have said. Abdus Salam Murshedy, President, Exporters Association of Bangladesh, said “I`n the current worrying situation, some buyers have deferred their visits to Bangladesh but not cancelled them. Nor have anyone called off prior bookings.” He said local garment industry has already faced several disasters and currently it is in a challenge of becoming competitive in prices. However, if the security situation deteriorates it will have a long-lasting negative impact on the garments industry and business, Murshedy told the Daily Observer on Wednesday. Murshedy said, “The alleged existence of international terror organisations in Bangladesh is yet to created panic among the buyers. But if the propaganda persists for long and there is repetition of assailant attacks (on foreigners) like it happened few days ago, it would be a headache for the export sector.” He said, “For our own factory I can say in the current situation our several buyers have deferred their visits but they did not say anything for cancellations.” Md Siddiqur Rahman, President of the BGMEA, said the government has already assured the world through diplomats of increasing security measures that will likely tackle the situation soon. He said the facts of killing are not a continuous problem in Bangladesh and the government is telling that killing of two foreigners are isolated. Regarding existence of IS, he said, “Our government has already told there is no existence of such organisation in Bangladesh.” He said this is the peak time for placing readymade garment orders ahead of the Christmas and it would be continued without any disruption. Monjurul Hoq, Director of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said that to remove the growing security fears among the buyers the government should go all-out to let the buyers know that Bangladesh is not a chaotic land. The incidents of killing of the two foreigners are isolated and the government is aware of strengthening security. He said currently the readymade garment export is in pricing trouble as some countries have devalued their currencies but in the meantime Bangladesh has increased utility prices so it is a tough competition with Vietnam and some other countries. Monirul said to save the export industry from further disaster the government should act on removing fears and rumor. Another former BGMEA leader said they are facing trouble since some Western countries issued security alert on movement of their nationals in Bangladesh.
