“Though in the fiscal year 2015-16 the garment accessories and packaging sector earned $6.12bn, it received no cash incentives yet. To achieve $50bn target of annual garment exports by 2021, I think the sector needs cash incentives and policy support,” he told a seminar yesterday. Amu said the demand for incentives was “logical” and the government would provide all-out policy support to help boost the accessories sector. Industries minister said he would discuss the matter with finance minister. Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) organised the seminar titled “Lean manufacturing in garments accessories and packaging industry of Bangladesh.” “As a backward linkage industry, we are contributing a lot to the country’s apparel exports but do not enjoy any cash incentive,” said BGAPMEA President Abdul Kader Khan. He said: “Once garment manufacturers were dependent on imports for accessories supplies to their factories, but now 90% of the accessories demand is met locally.” Abdul Kader said if the government provided cash incentives to the garment accessories industry, the sector could start direct export of its products. At the seminar, the speakers urged the government to act to remove all trade barriers from the garment accessories sector, such as value added tax, tax, customs, bond, bank loan and high rate of loan interest.
