BGMEA has sought support of the government for RMG industry to overcome the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and turn around while acting BGMEA president SM Mannan (Kochi) meet with senior secretary of the finance ministry AbdurRoufTalukder, a press release said.
Former BGMEA President Md. Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), MP, BGMEA Vice President ShahidullahAzim, Vice President (Finance) KhandokerRafiqul Islam and Director M. AhsanulHoq were also present at the meeting.
BGMEA leaders said the export-oriented apparel sector is still passing through tough times prolonged by the second wave of the Covid-19 in the country. Moreover, major export markets of Bangladesh, including Europe are yet to get back to fully normal state.
It was expected that the apparel sector could turn around with improvement in the pandemic situation but the surge of new variants and infections put the industry in challenges again, they added.
They asked the government to extend the payback period of the loans under the Covid response stimulus package from the existing 18 months to 36 months to help the sector to overcome the hurdles.
They urged the government to write off all debts, interest, and cost of fund charges for the 133 sick RMG factories, taking them into special consideration.
The BGMEA leaders also called for exit policy for businesses who want to shut down their businesses safely, as similar to Chapter 11 which exists in most of our competing countries.
