The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has said that different non-tariff measures are harming the business capabilities of the knitwear manufacturers and exporters of the country, despite some reductions of tariffs in the international trade. At a seminar in Narayanganj on problems and measures regarding non-tariff measures for RMG industry, BKMEA officials said developed countries are increasingly introducing non-tariff measures including anti-dumping, countervailing, safeguard measures etc. Speakers at the seminar said manufacturers and exporters in developing countries lack key information, facilities and capabilities. The complex requirements of a variety of non-tariff measures have made it expensive and difficult of the manufacturers and exporters, they claimed. BKMEA director Md Habibur Rahman said the buyers impose conditions on the manufacturers of buying raw materials from certain firms, which negatively impacts the capacity of the manufacturers. Former vice-president of BKMEA, Md Hatem said Bangladesh’s garment factories are also subjected to strong compliance. He also said production cost is increasing due to the compliances despite no increase in the export earnings. Apurba Sikder, director of Wisdom attires, said the export products are also subjected to different kinds of certification and samples have to be sent abroad due to the lack of adequate number of accredited laboratories which delays shipments.
