Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked all concerned on Saturday to expand Bangladesh’s export market with diversified products in the world, report agencies. The Prime Minister pointed that the list of export items of the country is not that much long as it is heavily RMG dependent one, while Bangladeshis products’ export destinations are also limited. The Prime Minister said this while inaugurating the second edition of ‘Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017′ at a city hotel. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in collaboration with Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) organised the event. “We’ve to diversify our products and expand our market for boosting our export earnings alongside learning how to add value to products and increase the RMG share,” she said. Speaking at the ceremony, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh products enjoy a duty free facility in the European markets, but not in the US. “We almost export products of $3.0 billion (in the US) and pay $850 million in taxes. ” The Prime Minister said the government is focusing on diversification of exports. “We are building an ICT Park. The same way, our entrepreneurs also need to look for new products and explore markets. Sheikh Hasina said there are many opportunities to increase our export basket and also to expand our export market. “I would like to draw the attention of our exporters in this regard … the government will extend all out support to boost export earnings,” she said. Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu and European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon spoke at the function as the special guests. BGMEA President Siddiqur Rahman delivered the welcome address, while BGMEA First Vice President Mainuddin Ahmed gave the vote of thanks. Sheikh Hasina urged the exporters to take necessary initiatives in this regard as the government is ready to extend all-out support to boost the export. About the government’s initiative to improve the working atmosphere in the RMG sector, she said a number of measures have been taken at international level to make the RMG sector safe. Under the initiative, 3,869 factories have been inspected. “Among those, faults have been found in only 39 factories and they were shut down, and the remaining factories are being renovated to improve their safety,” she said. But, she said, huge funds are needed for overhauling these factories. “Various brands and buyers can come forward to assist the factory owners, and the government will provide its support.” Hasina mentioned that the Readymade Garments of Bangladesh is now a role model in the world. The BGMEA, the government, domestic and international organisations and development partners — all together are working towards building a safe and sustainable RMG sector, she added. The Prime Minister said although Bangladesh stands at the second position in the RMG export market, its share is only 5.1 per cent in the sector. “We’ve to work on how to increase our share in the world market. We’ve to formulate short-, medium- and long-term plan in this regard.” She assured the BGMEA leaders of providing necessary cooperation in achieving their target and said the power generation capacity would be increased to 24,000 megawatt by 2021 and an LNG terminal would be set up to meet the growing demand of gas while the work is underway to establish Special Economic Zones across the country. Two such Economic Zones — one in Dhaka and other in Chittagong — will be earmarked for BGMEA along with a plan to turn the Dhaka-Chittagong highway into a 6-lane one, she said. Hasina also elaborated massive steps taken by her government to improve employers-workers relation and said, steps are also underway to ensure legal rights of the workers and workers’ welfare-oriented programmes like formation of Labour Welfare Foundation and Welfare Fund for the workers in the export-oriented industries. Besides, her government also strengthened the Department of Inspection of Factories and Establishment for improving the environment of factories and ensuring their safety, she said. Measures have also been taken to strengthen the Minimum Wage Commission apart from granting right to do union at EPZs, amendment of labour laws and issuance of labour rules for protecting workers rights, she added.
