BGMEA leaders on Tuesday said through the overall remediation of the country’s apparel industries is progressing slowly, the renovations of most of the Accord and Alliance listed companies will be completed by 2016.They made the remarks while meeting with Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon at the latter’s residence in the capital.BGMEA President Md. Siddiqur Rahman, Senior Vice President Faruque Hassan, and Vice President (Finance) Mohammed Nasir had a discussion with the EU Ambassador on different RMG related issues, including safety and sustainability and further cooperation between Bangladesh and the EU for development of the industry.The BGMEA leaders expressed their thanks to the Ambassador for the friendly support of the European Union for betterment of Bangladesh’s apparel industry.The Accord personnel have inspected 1600 factories, which have eliminated 60 percent risks related to fire, building collapse and electrical wire-generated accidents, Accord’s Executive Director Rob Ways said on last Sunday at a press conference in the capital.“Approximately, 60 percent of safety hazards identified through initial inspections have now been reported or verified as repaired, he added.Rob Ways said, Accord has spent $30 million in last three years, out of total budget of $50 million for a five-year programme.BGMEA President Md. Siddiqur Rahman said, they are in talks with the EU Ambassador on different issues on RMG related, including safety, remediation and sustainability of the industry.They also informed EU Ambassador, “it’s too clear that RMG factories would be able to complete the remediation work by June 2018, but financial support is a major obstacle for factory owners to making compliant with safety standards of Accord and Alliance.BGMEA leaders also sought ambassador’s help on financing SME entrepreneurs from foreign fund at nominal interest rate.
