BGMEA chief should get ministerial status, say industry leaders

Leaders of the country's ready-made garment industry have called for granting the president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) ministerial status.

Representation from the business community should also be ensured in the proposed upper house in the parliament, they said at a discussion on "Business Crisis and Pathways to Recovery" held today (18 November) at Uttara Club in Dhaka.

"The president of BGMEA should be granted ministerial status," Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group and former BGMEA director, said at the event attended by senior leaders from the garment, textile, accessories, and buying house sectors.

At the same event, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu urged political parties to ensure business representation alongside MPs in the proposed upper house of parliament. 

"If the Upper House has 100 members, parties will provide proportional representation. We want them to include 10% business representatives not directly involved in politics. This will create a structured opportunity for business voices to be heard," he told TBS after the event.

'Buyers reluctant to visit Bangladesh due to political instability'

Exporters also warned that ongoing political uncertainty in the country is discouraging foreign buyers from visiting Bangladesh, negatively affecting orders. 

Shovon Islam said, "Around 70% of foreign buyers have cancelled visits due to the current situation. Negotiations for summer and fall holiday season orders take place at this time. Their absence will affect orders, and the export outlook for the next three to four months is not promising."

Mofazzal Hossain Pavel, President of the Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBHA), echoed concerns over the cancelled buyer visits. 

Business leaders also highlighted multiple challenges, including high bank interest rates, frequent policy changes, energy shortages, insecurity, and recent incidents of arson, which are collectively pushing businesses into severe crisis. 

They called for the swift restoration of a stable and secure environment.

Shawkat Aziz Russel, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), added that the work of the current administration will be scrutinised in the future. 

"Current advisers will also be held accountable for their actions," he added.