When it comes to making business deals, RMG retailers now prefer not meeting their manufacturers in Bangladesh on security grounds, but elsewhere, i.e. in any third country. But the question looms large how secure the third country is, as the whole world witnesses the terrorists acts almost everywhere. Like the retailers, fear and uncertainty are haunting a good number of ready-made garment manufacturers, who are scheduled to visit a third country or the buyers’ country to negotiate business deals as terrorist attacks have been frequent across the world. Such a manufacturer is Nazmul Alam (not his real name) who came forward to talk to the Dhaka tribune. He said he will have to fly to Europe to meet his buyers next week. The meeting was first scheduled in Dhaka, but was postponed and later fixed in a European country as the buyers’ representatives opted not to visit Bangladesh over security concern. The security issue came under the spotlight following the recent attack at the Gulshan restaurant that killed 20 people, mostly foreigners in the first week of the month. Like his buyers, Nazmul also feels insecure to fly to him to settle new business deal for the coming seasons, but he has anyhow to turn up there for the sake of business. In the last couple of weeks, Europe has seen several terrorist attacks including suicide mission at Istanbul airport, truck attack at Nice in France on Bastille Day celebration, shooting in the vicinity of the Olympia shopping mall in the Moosach district of Munich, Germany, and also at a nightclub in the Florida city of Fort Myers in United States. “I cannot but go there as I have to run my business. Hundreds of workers depend on me for their bread and butter.” Nazmul adds that terrorism is now a global issue which has to be fought together. For the sake of workers and business, both buyers and manufacturers should mutually handle it, suggested the manufacturer. “But where is the safe place for holding talks between the buyers and manufacturers?” he posed a question. Faruque Hassan, senior vice-president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, told the Dhaka Tribune that the manufacturers are meeting their buyers at the latter’s desired place to ink deal as they have to continue business and have the buyers source from Bangladesh.” In most cases, manufactures have to meet retailers for new style orders, but nowadays for development of new communication technology like Viber and Skype, deals are primarily discussed online and end up in a bilateral meeting for final settlement. The buyers should not hesitate or become tense to visit Bangladesh as the government has taken steps to ensure the security of foreigners, said the apparel leader. “As manufactures, we are trying to do our best and have taken steps like visiting the buyers office instead of asking them to visit ours and are also providing them with security patrol.” Faruque said they did not want that buyers leave Bangladesh. “I am hopeful that this type of incident would not recur in our country and buyers would feel safe to visit us.” Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) president Abdus Salam Murshedy said buyers can meet manufacturers in Bangladesh as the present crisis is a temporary one and the country is recovering the shock as the government has taken rapid action to curve terrorism. The Cabinet Committee on Law and Order has decided to provide full-fledged protection for all foreigners and business individuals, doing business here in Bangladesh. The export processing areas will be brought under special security coverage so that foreign buyers can move with full-fledged protection. The government said it will provide law enforcers equipped with arms to ensure security for the buyers if demanded. Talking to the Dhaka Tribune, Tofail said: “The confidence of global retailers is being restored as the government is launching crackdown on militants.” Early Tuesday, nine militants were killed in a swat team drive at Kalyanpur in the capital. Bangladesh is safe and the buyers can meet their manufacturers without any fear or hesitation as the government is committed to ensuring foreigners security, added the commerce minister.
