Second-generation apparel leaders express solidarity with students' demands

The second-generation business leaders in the apparel industry have expressed their solidarity with the ongoing student movement, stating that the nine-point demand of protesters has now become the demand of the people of Bangladesh.

"We, as members of the next generation apparel business community of Bangladesh, issued a statement today (Saturday) showing solidarity with the ongoing nine points demanded by the people of Bangladesh," they said in a joint statement titled "The Next Gen Apparel Industry's Statement of Solidarity", signed by 47 business leaders and entrepreneurs.

"As members of the business community, we cannot stand silent and watch the sad loss of innocent lives and people's demands go unheard."

The top four signatories are Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, managing director of Eraf Composite Limited; Shams Mahmud, a former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Abrar Hossain Sayem, president of the Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association; and Al Shahriar Ahmed, president at the Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

"We reiterate our concerns for all citizens of this country. As proud members of an independent nation, we believe that all individuals should be able to exercise their rights peacefully. We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by recent events and want to see the perpetrators brought to justice through a fair investigation," reads the statement.

"Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to those who have faced tragic loss of life and harassment. All lives matter. We urgently call for fair justice and immediate economic restoration in the best interest of this nation and its citizens.

"We would like to end by saying, we sincerely pray and hope, the current situation normalises for the greater interest of the country." 

Talking with The Business Standard, Shams Mahmud said, "We are some like-minded second-generation businessmen who have made this joint statement as we believe that the country will be the first priority."

"The students' demands have become the demands of the people of Bangladesh, and it is our responsibility to express solidarity to justify their demands," said Shams, also a director at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). 

"Unless the situation improves, no one will be able to do business here, and the economy may not be able to sustain itself," said Shams Mahmud, president of the Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Fazlee Shamim Ehsan said, "This situation is alarming for the business, that's why we sought an amicable solution for this, aiming that the country will be the first priority at all."

He also demanded justice for all killings during the student movement against discrimination. 

Abrar Hossain Sayem, a director at BGMEA, said, "We made the joint statement after consulting a number of our senior leaders; those are our pioneers in this industry."

Others signatories are Hasin Arman, a director of MB Knit and Treasurer at Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association (BAYLA); Rafee Mahmood, director at Mahmood Denims; Sakib Ahmed, managing director, Broadway Incorporation; Abrar Alam Khan, director at Astrotex Group; M Ehsanul Huq, director at Knittex Industries Ltd; Jasim Uddin, managing director at Anam Garments Ltd; Lithe Moontaha Mohiuddin, director at Lithe Group; and Zarin Rashid, director at TRZ Ind Ltd.

Kazi Fahad, managing director at Kazi Accessories; Aqib Jafri Sharif, director at Northern Tosrifa Group; Ramize Khalid Islam, director at Renai Group; Azfar Ankon Hassan, director at Giant Group; Sifat Ishty, managing director at Textila Ltd; Remonul Alam Sadi, director at Old Town Fashions Ltd; Farzad Islam Antor, managing director at Platinum Sourcing and Services Ltd; Avee Barua Chowdhury, executive director at Jams Design Ltd; and Md Jewel Rana, managing director at Matrix Apparel.

Neaz Rahman Shaqib, director at Simtex Industries Ltd; Ahmed Nabid Imtiaz, director at Andalib Textile Mills Ltd; Labibur Rahman Malek, director at Modern, Naimul Hassan Naim, director at Abloom Design Ltd; Rajesh Saha, director at Rose Sweaters Ltd; Anika Bushra Rafa, director at AKH Group; Fazlay Hossain Alif of Lam Mim Apparels Ltd; Zahir Ahmed Shah of Ahmed Spinning Ltd; Ashikul Hoque of Ashiqul Textile Ltd; Omar Chowdhury of Banga Garments; Irfanul Hoque, director at Fatullah Fabrics; Tanzila Karim, director at Odell Group; Tasnim Sadek, director at Roshawa Spinning; Jubaer Hossain Asif and director at Rose Garden Apparel.

Mohammad Iqbal Hasan, director at Fair Apparels Ltd; Tanvir Kashem, director at AKH Group; Waeza Masnoon, director at Clifton Group; Abrar Rashid of Sattar Textile Ltd; Sharif Mohammad Abdullah of Rehash Accessories & Sourcing Ltd; Arshad Rahman, director at Farrell Fashions Ltd; Subael Sarwar, director at Beautiful Jackets Ltd; Ratul Das, director at Paramount Group; Apurba Saha, director at PN Composite Ltd; Farhan Ahmed, director at Packman Bangladesh Ltd; Ayesha Shefa, director at Simco Spinning Ltd; and Jobayer Tansim Ahmed, director at Shah Fatehullah Textile Mills Ltd.