Apparel sector leaders have expressed their deep concern over the latest two heinous attacks at Dhaka’s Gulshan and Kishoreganj’s Sholakia.The Gulshan tragedy claimed 20 lives, including some foreigners, while the terror attack near Sholakia Eidgah caused death to four.”Bangladesh has never experienced such horrific incidents,” said Md Siddiqur Rahman, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.The BGMEA leader also feared adverse fallout from such terror attacks. “However, we cannot assess right now what extent it would impact,” he said.Pointing his finger at Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashion mishaps that also made a negative impact on the manufacturing sector, Rahman said, “We’ve overcome the situation through our hard and sincere efforts, but by this time, we have no explanation to our buyers.”On investment flow, the business leader said whatever the finance minister said, obviously, the violent incidents would send a wrong message to our buying countries.Rahman, however, pointed to the increased FDI flow in the country this year. Such foreign investment was comparatively low in the economic zones the previous year.Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of the Exporters Association of Bangladesh, said political stability is a must to achieve the targeted $50 billion earnings from readymade garment ((RMG) exports.”If such heinous incidents like Gulshan and Sholakia attacks recur, buyers will opt for alternative channels to import apparels,” said Murshedy, also the former chief of RMG sector trade body.He urged the government to ensure a business-friendly environment for attaining a vibrant economy.The country fetches almost 80 per cent foreign currencies from RMG exports.Meanwhile, Finance Minister AMA Muhith sees no impact of Gulshan and Sholakia tragedies on the country’s economy and investment.”It is evident that the two incidents will not hamper investment, but the entrepreneurs will get a shock for these reason,” Muhith told the media at his ministry on Monday.The Minister also said donor agencies sent letters to him expressing their concern over the recent terror attacks. ” Gulshan and Sholakia attacks would not hinder investment and assistance from the World Bank,” he added.On a query on BB reserve heist, the Minister said the probe report will be released soon.Moreover, the process to appoint Sonali Bank chairman is going on, he said.The government will take all necessary measures to ensure security for the investors, especially foreign investors, to attain the targeted development goal, said M A Mannan, State Minister for Finance.
