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BD capable of meeting global needs amid C-19 pandemic: FM

Published : Friday, 29 May, 2020 at 12:00 AM  Count : 346

Terming the Bangladesh's businesspeople very smart, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen says they have demonstrated their ability to meet global needs amid coronavirus pandemic by exporting PPE (personal protective equipment) to USA.
"Our businesspeople are very smart. They did it quickly by exporting the first consignment of PPE to the buyers," Foreign Minister said on Thursday.
He said Bangladesh has demonstrated its ability though some had mocked the prospect when he spoke about such opportunities two months ago.
On March 23, Dr Momen told the media that USA had sent a list of 22 items that they would like to import from Bangladesh.
But many were surprised and said it was impossible, apparently criticising the Foreign Minister on social media.
Some said a developed country like USA can never ask Bangladesh to supply medical equipment although they know that Bangladesh supplies to USA nearly $6 billion worth of garments annually.
But all this happened in less than two months, he said.
Though the USA sent a list of 22 items initially, they added three more items to it.
There was discussion about Bangladeshi businesspeople and diplomats where it was conveyed that Bangladesh is capable of exporting 14 items on the US list.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen said Bangladesh is giving these medical supplies not only to the USA but other countries too. "We're sending these to some countries as donation apart from exporting to some countries," he said.
The Foreign Minister said Bangladeshi garment owners made 500,000-600,000 PPE for domestic use within a week when coronavirus was identified in Bangladesh.
On May 25, Bangladesh joined a select group of countries that manufacture world-class, large-scale PPE by shipping 6.5 million gowns to US brand Hanes, for ultimate delivery to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R Miller attended a function and saw off the first shipment at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
Speaking on the occasion, Shahriar Alam said like the rest of the world, Bangladesh is also facing the toughest of times in trying to cope with the Coronavirus pandemic.
As COVID-19 turned into a pandemic, it has become clear that there will be a desperate need for PPE to keep medical professionals and the general public safe.
Beximco has proudly joined the fight against the pandemic by moving swiftly to add manufacturing capabilities in PPE items such as gowns, masks and coveralls, said Beximco CEO and Group Director Syed Naved Husain.
He said the COVID-19 had changed how the world works, and that Beximco had to urgently respond. "In just two months, we've unleashed our world-class manufacturing, technical and design talent to switch over and start making personal protection equipment and help increase the supply of PPE which is urgently needed in Bangladesh and worldwide."

















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