The recent Gulshan attack has concerned global retailers and brands of the apparel products who are now keen to see what measures have been taken to ensure security during their visit to Bangladesh, sector insiders say. Instead, some buyers have asked the manufacturers to meet them in the third country in the wake of security concern for negotiating business deals and placing orders. The recent terror attack at Holey Artisan Bakery in Dhaka’s diplomatic zone killed 20 people including nine Italians, most of whom were involved in garment trade in Bangladesh. “Following the tragic event, what are you planning to implement security-wise for visitors in your country? As the attack was a clear target on foreigners by extremists and I think I’m expressing here the concern that most of the foreigners have nowadays about traveling to Bangladesh,” according to a buyer’s e-mail sent to a manufacturer. “I am under pressure from all foreign companies that are concerned about the recent attack on foreigners,” the manufacturer said, seeking anonymity. He urged the government to assure the buyers that it would take necessary steps to maintain security. “The global retailers will not pull out their business from Bangladesh, but want to see that security has been beefed up for local as well as foreign representatives living here,” BGMEA Vice-President Mohammad Nasir told the Dhaka Tribune. He said the buyers want to know what measures the government are going to take for tightening security. “As of yesterday, two-three buyers asked me to meet them in a third country as they are unwilling to visit Bangladesh for placing work orders due to security concerns,” said Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) president Abdus Salam Murshedy. “If the situation continues, they will be more reluctant to visit and we have to travel down there, which would accelerate our production cost.” The Cabinet Committee on Law and Order has decided to provide full-fledged protection for all foreigners and business individuals, who are doing business here in Bangladesh, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed told the Dhaka Tribune. The export processing areas will be brought under special security coverage so that foreign buyers can move with full-fledged protection, said Tofail. “If demanded, the government will provide law enforcers equipped with arms to ensure security for the buyers as we are committed to protecting investors as well as their investment.” According to the provisional data of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), in July-May period of FY’15-16, Bangladesh earned over $25 billion, which is about 9.44% higher compared to $22.92 billion a year ago. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s export earnings posted a nearly 9% rise to $30.66 billion in the first 11 months of the current fiscal year, compared to $28.14 billion a year ago.
