In order to keep all industrial factories of Bangladesh running normally, including the garment industry, under the initiative of BGMEA, Bangladesh Army’s GOC Ninth Infantry Division and Area Commander, Savar Area held a meeting with FBCCI, BTMA, leaders of various business organizations and representatives of law enforcement agencies on 11 August.
Acting President of BGMEA Khandaker Rafiqul Islam led the meeting held at the BGMEA office on behalf of the traders.
GOC Major General Md. Moin Khan, NDC, PSC led the 9th Infantry Division.
BGMEA 1st Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Vice President (Finance) Md. Nasir Uddin, Vice President Abdullah Hill Rakib, Vice President Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, Directors were present in the meeting. Also present were FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICI) President Javed Akhtar, BTMA President (Incharge) Md. Fazlul Haque, Bangladesh Shop Owners Association President Helal Uddin, representatives of various trade organizations and leaders of various business establishments. .
Industrial Police Additional IGP Md Mahabubur Rahman, BPM-Bar, PPM, Army Task Force Commander Colonel Abu Mohammad Mohiuddin, BGBM (Bar), PBGM, MPhil and representatives of BGB and RAB were also present in the meeting.
Acting President of BGMEA Khandaker Rafiqul Islam said, the way the Bangladesh Army has stood by the people with patience and prudence in the recent crisis of national life, the way it has engaged in the reconstruction and economic recovery of the country, is highly commendable.
He said that 99.89% factories in Gazipur area, 99.51% factories in Savar-Ashulia and Dhamrai area, 100% factories in Narayanganj area, 100% factories in DMP area, 100% garment factories in Chittagong area have been opened by the direct cooperation of the army.
In the meeting, various law and order related problems of the country’s industrial factories were discussed in detail.
It is said in the discussion that in industrial areas dominated by the garment industry, incidents of terrorism are constantly happening with the control of fake trade of garments. Several terrorist groups have formed in the industrial areas to dominate the Jhoot sector, who are creating youth gangs in those areas and are keeping the atmosphere of the area turbulent, harassing the owners and workers in various ways. Garment industry is hostage in their hands. Garment traders seek the help of the army to free the industry from their hands.
In the meeting, the businessmen also requested to provide security for goods carrying vehicles of all industries including exports on roads and highways. They expressed concern and said that unnecessary delay in loading and unloading of goods from ships at Chittagong port, which the traders have to pay, is reducing the competitiveness of the industry. Similarly, there is a long delay in clearing the goods at Dhaka Airport. The businessmen requested the Ninth Infantry Division of the Army to speed up the loading and unloading of goods at Chittagong port and expedite the clearance of goods at Dhaka Shahjalal Airport.
The traders also requested the Army-led Joint Task Force to visit the recently vandalized factories to restore confidence in the entrepreneurs and labor fraternity.
In the meeting, Major General Md. Moin Khan, NDC, PSC said that one of the priorities of the army at the moment is to ensure that the industry can turn around as the backbone of the economy.
He said that the task force formed by the Bangladesh Army has already started working to ensure strict security in the industries by forming a task force in the industrial areas of Savar and Ashulia. Through ‘quick reaction force’, teams reach the spot quickly and provide assistance as per demand. Due to which the number of complaints in the industrial areas of Savar and Ashulia decreased on the second day compared to the first day.
Major General Md. Moin Khan requested the BGMEA leaders to report the terrorists who are active in the field, focusing on the sole control of fake business. He said that industrial police will see to it that not a single factory is damaged. He also said that he will talk to the Chittagong Port Authority to speed up the loading and unloading of goods from ships at Chittagong Port. He assured the traders that he will also talk to the appropriate authorities to speed up the unloading service at Dhaka Airport.
He said that WhatsApp groups will be opened area-wise with the concerned people, so that if any industrial factory has a problem, it can be solved quickly.
Major General Md. Moin Khan assured the businessmen that any untoward incident from outside the factory, which may cause damage to the factory, in such a situation, the Bangladesh Army is on the side of the industry.
