'Backbone of economy will break': Fakhrul says govt should've worked seriously with more qualified people on US tariffs

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has voiced concern over the proposed 35% US tariff on Bangladeshi products, warning that such a move could devastate the country's key export sector and cripple its economy.

"I don't know how much attention the interim government has paid to this. They should have worked more seriously with the US, involving capable individuals. That said, it's not too late yet. There is still time to act. The government must ensure that our industries survive and employment is protected," he said at a discussion on Thursday (10 July).

Speaking at a discussion titled "The Role of Journalists in Mass Uprisings of Students and Citizens" at the National Press Club today (10 July), Fakhrul urged the government to take the matter seriously.

"Our main export is ready-made garments. If a 35% duty is imposed on this sector, the garment industry will collapse," Fakhrul said.

"The RMG industry will not be able to recover from such devastation. Backbone of our economy will break," he added.

Calls for stronger stance on border, water issues with India

Regarding border killings and push-in incidents, Fakhrul said, "This is not a trivial matter.

"These incidents are happening at the border every day. Therefore, this issue needs to be brought to the media to create greater public awareness."

He also urged the government to take the matter seriously and engage in decisive negotiations with India.

Focusing on the urgency, Fakhrul also called on the government to strongly pursue the issues of water rights and equitable water distribution with India- additions to Fakhrul

Welcomes Yunus' directive, hopes for prompt election preparations by EC

Thanking Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus for his fresh instruction on the national election, Fakhrul expressed the hope that the Election Commission will complete its election preparations promptly, reports UNB.

"I would like to thank CA Yunus from this programme as he has instructed the Election Commission to complete all the work by December. This is a very positive matter," he said while speaking at a discussion.

"We hope that the EC will complete this work very quickly and create an environment for the election," the BNP leader added.

He said their party wants the EC to work in such a way that it can present the nation with a free, fair, neutral and acceptable election.

"We hope they will work in that way," Fakhrul said.

Expressing strong optimism, Fakhrul dismissed concerns raised by some quarters about whether the election will be held on time.

"Why wouldn't the election be held? The people of this country want the election. They have sacrificed their lives for the election. They want a parliament with elected representatives," he said.

Fakhrul said that attempts have been made by a certain quarter to label BNP as a party that opposes reforms, but in reality, it is the BNP that has introduced all major reforms in Bangladesh.

"Reform is in our blood and DNA. We were born through reforms. So, it is unfair to say that BNP is against reforms. Nothing could be a greater distortion of the truth than claiming BNP is obstructing reforms," he said.

The BNP leader, however, said that it is the people who will ultimately decide on reforms. "Why should we expect everything from this interim government?"

Speaking about the July Charter, Fakhrul said BNP had earlier shared their opinions on it and finalised their formal response last night (9 July) after receiving a draft on it from the government. "So, where is the problem?"

The event was organised by Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ).