Complexities in loading and unloading of readymade garments (RMG) containers in the Chittagong port are increasing the lead time and badly affecting the overall performance of the apparel sector, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Siddiqur Rahman has said. “We’ve almost overcome the electricity and gas problems. We expect the rest of the problems related to utility services to be resolved by next year. But we’re failing to ship our products within the deadline, thus increasing lead time and reducing efficiency,” he added.“Last year, the RMG sector growth was negative because of a lack of demand for apparels and the image crisis created by the Rana Plaza tragedy. But this year, we’ve started making a comeback. Our growth is around 6 per cent so far,” he said.The BGMEA president made this observation at the inauguration ceremony of the ‘17th Garmentech Bangladesh 2018’ expo organised by the Zakaria Trade and Fair International, ASK Trade and Exhibitions Private Ltd, and the Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital yesterday.Speaking as chief guest at the event, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said the contribution of Garment Accessories and Packaging (GAP) to the RMG sector is around 10 to 15 per cent, which would reach approximately 15–20 per cent by 2021. “Bangladesh will be able to end poverty by 2024, even though the international deadline for poverty reduction is 2030. To implement this goal, we need another term to complete the work on poverty reduction,” he added.There would be no poor people in the country by 2024, he asserted.Exporters’ Association of Bangladesh (EAB) president Abdus Salam Murshedy demanded a few things, saying that entrepreneurs of the garment accessories and the packaging sector needed refinancing at a lower interest rate. The government should cut the corporate tax rate in this sector from 35 per cent to 12 per cent, he added.The chief executive officer (CEO) of Zakaria Trade and Fair International, Tipu Sultan Bhuyian, said the RMG sector was on a fast track to reach the target of exports worth USD 50 billion by 2021, but there were hurdles like productivity, safety, compliance, efficiency, value addition, product diversification, fabric sourcing, and packaging solutions.Garmentech Bangladesh 2018, with four concurrent sourcing shows related to apparel machinery, yarn and fabrics, garment accessories and packaging, printing technology and machinery under one roof, is positioned as a complete sourcing forum for all stakeholders in the RMG sector. The four-day show will be opened between 11am and 7pm.
