PM orders swift removal of obstacles to garment industry growth

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday directed the authorities concerned to remove obstacles hindering the growth of the country's garment industry as soon as possible.

He gave the instruction at a meeting with a delegation from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at the Prime Minister's Cabinet Division office in the Bangladesh Secretariat in the afternoon, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shipul.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan led the delegation, he said.   

“The BGMEA representatives informed Prime Minister Tarique Rahman about various challenges facing the industry, including the need to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity and gas. They also presented several short-term and long-term proposals on how these issues could be addressed,” said the deputy press secretary.

Shipul said the Prime Minister listened attentively to the business leaders and instructed the relevant ministries and divisions to take the necessary steps to remove the obstacles as quickly as possible.

“The government has already begun working to resolve your problems. These are long-standing and accumulated challenges, so they will take some time to address. However, we will take immediate steps to resolve those issues that can be solved right away,” the Prime Minister told the business leaders during the meeting.

Seeking BGMEA's cooperation in building a prosperous Bangladesh, Tarique Rahman said, “If infrastructure is improved to support the development of the garment industry, the wheels of the economy will move faster and the country will advance on the path to prosperity. That is why our government is working to ensure the sustainable development for this sector.”

He also said that the government had placed a business-friendly budget aimed at building a prosperous nation.

Shiplu said, “The Prime Minister told the BGMEA delegation that the government will do whatever is necessary to support the growth of this industry. This government came to power to solve the problems of the people, including the challenges faced by businesses. We are working toward that goal.”

At the end of the meeting, BGMEA leaders presented a commemorative crest to the Prime Minister.

Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Prime Minister’s advisers Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Mahdi Amin, and Special Secretary of the BNP National Executive Committee Belayet Hossain Mridha were present at the meeting.