Apparel makers hopes to keep exports open

Apparel exporters have expressed their hope that the government will allow uninterrupted factory operations and the delivery of shipments of goods and raw materials during the fresh lockdown, imposed over the recent surge in Covid-19 infections and deaths.

They said the government may allow the RMG sector to operate considering the greater interest of the country's economic activities.

The government may issue a detailed gazette notification over the issue by tomorrow, said leading businesses and apparel industry leaders on Saturday while talking to The Business Standard.

The RMG factories will remain in operations during the upcoming lockdown, said Dr Rubana Huq, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

In a letter to Inspector General of Police Dr Benazir Ahmed, the BGMEA president sought cooperation from the police to allow vehicles carrying the RMG workers, officials, raw materials and goods to move on the roads.

"If any disruption happens in our supply chain, buyers may not consider that and may move to other countries," said, Kutubuddin Ahmed, chairman of Envoy Textile Mills Ltd, the world's first LEED-certified platinum denim manufacturing facility and a former president of the BGMEA.

"We hope that the government may consider the current situation of the economy, as most of the apparel exporting destination countries are under lockdown except some EU countries," said Fazlul Haque, managing director of Plummy Fashions Limited, the greenest knitwear factory of the world.

Recalling the last year's general holidays over Covid-19, Fazlul expressed his hope that this time the situation will be better. He also said every factory should maintain health safety protocols and hygiene.

He also mentioned that the order situation is better this year compared to the last year. Now they need to produce the goods and ship on time.