The manufacturers of the garment accessories and packaging sector demanded the extension of the issuance and renewal of all licenses by at least three or five years to move a step ahead in terms of ease of doing business.
They also said that the packaging and accessories factories need nearly 32 licenses, especially trade licenses and licenses from the department of environmental, fire and other government departments to operate the business.
These licenses are required to be renewed every year and the factories have to remain busy around the year to renew the different licenses, which hamper their business operations.
Moazzem Hossain Moti, president of the Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA), made the demand at a press conference on Sunday in the capital.
He called for extending the issuance and renewal of licenses by at least three or five years and the government would earn more revenue from license issuance and renewal.
He discussed it at the pre-event press conference on four international trade shows on garment machinery and allied products, which will begin on January 11 at ICCB of the capital and will be continued till January 14.
The four-day event includes the 20th edition of Garment Technology Show Bangladesh 2023 (GTB 2023), the 12th edition of International Garment Accessories and Packaging Expo 2023 (GAPEXPO 2023), the maiden edition of India Textile Trade Fair Bangladesh 2023 (ITTF Bangladesh 2023) and International Yarn & Fabrics Expo, which will be organized jointly with BGAPMEA, South Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) and ASK Trade and Exhibition Pvt Limited.
“I extend greetings to RMG exporters, other related exporters and buying houses who will be visiting the show to witness the latest innovations and latest collection of our members and let us all work for the progress of our sector,” said Moazzem Hossain Moti.
He also said that packaging and accessories is a $40,000 crore industry with 7 lakh workforce and has a $7 billion share of total RMG export.
Responding to a question, he said that the sector is able to manufacture 100% of backward linkage products. But they supply 85%-90% because many buyers have requirements of sourcing backward linkage products.
“We urge RMG exporters to convince buyers about the quality of country-made backward linkage products,” he added.
Replying to a question, he said that they are aware of BGMEA’s target of exporting $100 billion per annum by 2030 and the GAP sector is also preparing in this line.
“Currently, we can keep pace with the target of the RMG sector of exporting $54 billion by 2025 and then gradually moving,” he added.
In this regard, they need government policy support, he added.
Tipu Sultan, managing director of the ASK Trade and Exhibit Pvt Ltd, said that GTB started its journey when the RMG Exports was $1.8 billion and has been the technology platform for the RMG makers, aiding the sector in its growth over the years.
“As the RMG sector in the country is looking for opportunities in the value-added garments and product diversification, the 20th edition of GTB 2023 will showcase cutting-edge technology for the sector,” he added.
The four-day event will showcase cutting-edge sewing, finishing, embroidery machinery, state-of-art technology, spares and allied products, man-made, synthetic, natural and blended fabrics, dress materials, trims and embellishments and other products.
Zahir Uddin Haider, chairman of the standing committee on the expo and Nanda K Gopal, director of ASK Trade also spoke at the press conference.
