Garment industry leaders are calling on the interim Government to take immediate steps to persuade Western nations, especially the United States and the European Union, to lift their travel advisories for Bangladesh.
During a roundtable discussion, industry representatives expressed concern that these alerts could lead to a loss of business to competing countries.
Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), emphasised the leverage that Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, an internationally respected figure, could bring to the table. He suggested that a simple letter or tweet from Yunus could strengthen reassurances to foreign buyers.
Faruque Hassan, a former BGMEA president, echoed these sentiments, noting the growing unease among international buyers who are hesitant to visit Bangladesh due to the travel warnings. This hesitation is forcing industry representatives to meet clients abroad to negotiate deals, which he asserted weakens Bangladesh's competitive positioning.
Sirajul Islam Azad, chief human resource officer at Bitopi Group, highlighted a specific instance where a Spanish designer canceled a trip to Bangladesh, citing his country's travel advisory. Similarly, Md Hafizur Rahman, administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), reported that a US FDA delegation canceled plans to certify Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products. Rahman cautioned that if travel advisories remain in place, all sectors will feel the negative impact, although he acknowledged that the interim Government is working on the issue.
Apparel resources adds: The discussion also touched upon ongoing unrest and a decline in law and order that have further complicated the garment industry's operations. Following political upheaval, police stations took weeks to resume normal operations, and industrial areas like Ashulia and Gazipur have experienced significant disruptions due to blockades.
Nazma Akhter, president of the Sommilito Garment Sramik Federation, raised concerns about recent political protests that have damaged foreign buyers' confidence. The urgency to stabilize the national situation and restore international trust was a recurring theme among participants, who included economists and industry researchers.
The industry leaders also discussed the need for a national minimum wage and suggested that the existing wage structure for ready-made garment (RMG) workers could serve as a benchmark for all sectors. This could help address wage disparities and foster internal policies based on workers' skills and experience.
Another significant point raised was the importance of potentially deferring Bangladesh's graduation from least developed country (LDC) status to maintain trade benefits. Reaz highlighted that without an urgent improvement in competitiveness, the nation risks falling behind its competitors post-graduation.
