BGMEA President
BGMEA wants continuation of 0.5 per cent source tax
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Saturday demanded that the government continue the existing 0.5 per cent source tax for the next five years in the new budget.
“We demand the continuation of the existing rate of 0.5 per cent source tax as it is suitable for long-term business planning,” said BGMEA President Faruque Hassan.
Also read: It’s a very significant budget: BGMEA
The budget for 2021-22 fiscal did not include the proposals made to the authorities for the benefit of the RMG sector, he said at press conference at its headquarters in Uttara.
The BGMEA president welcomed the proposal to reduce import duty on some machine parts and chemicals used in the garment sector.
Also read: New budget unveiled with focus on protecting lives and livelihoods
British Deputy High Commissioner calls on BGMEA President
British Deputy High Commissioner to Bangladesh Javed Patel Hassan met Faruque Hasan, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association at BGMEA office on Monday.
They discussed various trade issues including sustainability in the RMG sector and ways to further cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh for development of the industry.
The BGMEA President sought the support of the British government with regard to non-payment by some of the British brands to their Bangladeshi suppliers during the Covid-19 crisis.
READ: BGMEA delegation meets BEZA chairman over allocation for 'garment village'
The discussion also included cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh regarding graduatio from LDC, possible changes in the tariff regime and how Bangladesh could retain its market access in the post-LDC era in the UK.
The BGMEA President expressed thanks to the Deputy High Commissioner for the friendly support of the UK for betterment of Bangladesh’s apparel industry.
READ: Commerce Ministry, BGMEA ink MoU for Centre for Innovation, Efficiency and OSH
Mahesh Mishra, Counsellor, Prosperity and Economic Growth Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission in Dhaka, Miran Ali, Vice President, and Md. ImranurRahman, Director, BGMEA were also present at the meeting.
Over 97 percent owners paid workers’ salaries: BGMEA president
President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan on Wednesday hoped 100 percent of workers’ salaries and festival bonuses will be paid before the day of the Eid-ul-Fitr festival.
“We urge the all workers not to create any indiscipline. Over 97 percent factory owners paid workers’ salaries. We hope 100 percent workers’ salaries and festival bonuses will be paid before the day of the Eid-ul-Fitr ,” he said while addressing a virtual press conference.
The BGMEA president said 1913 factories under BGMEA are operating in the country
Of them, 1667 factories are in Dhaka and 246 in Chattogram. The owners of 1866 (97.54%) factories have paid the salary for the month of April up to May 11. Of these, 1652 are in Dhaka and 214 in Chattogram. And the bonus was paid in 1882 factories (1659 in Dhaka and 223 in Chattogram) which 99 percent till yesterday, he added.
“Some 15 factories paid salary of April and 8 factories paid bonus on Wednesday in Dhaka. And 32 factories of Chattorgram paid salary and 23 factories paid bonus today. About 800 factories in Dhaka have been brought under close monitoring and payment of salary and bonus has been ensured by cooperating with 44 factories in various ways,” he added.
Also read: Workers cannot leave workplaces during Eid holidays: Monnujan
“We always want that our workers stay well. In the last 10 years, the facilities of the workers have been increased more. We can provide more facilities in future if our productivity and capacity increase. We have to pass a difficult time in the next three months. We hope that the garment industry will overcome its existing problems from the next year. So, we need more support from banks,” he also said.
The new BGMEA president said many factory owners fell in cash crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We operate factories amid the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown maintaining health safety. So, our cost also went up vastly. Even, some buyers did not pay money as they were bankrupt following the pandemic,” he added.
Faruque said 44 lakh workers are involved in the garment industry.
“The livelihood of around 5 crore people directly and indirectly depend on the industry. The ages of most of workers are between 18-30 years. So the coronavirus infection rate is low in the industry.”
Also read: Clear wages, Eid bonus by May 10: RMG workers
According to his written statement, after an unprecedented 18% decline in exports in the last financial year, exports have declined by a further 8.72% in the first 10 months of the current financial year.
The export crisis especially in the oven sector has reached a climax. During the month of March, it reduced 24.70 percent while in April it decreased 6.37 percent compared to the same period of FY 2018-19. It has been possible to avoid major catastrophes in the economy thanks to positive decision by the Prime Minster.
Faruque said they have taken measures in collaboration with the government so that workers get salary and bonus before Eid.
BGMEA leaders led by Faruque Hassan pay homage to Bangabandhu
The BGMEA Board led by its President Faruque Hassan paid tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman by placing wreaths at the portrait of the great leader in front of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at the capital's Dhanmondi on Saturday.
The BGMEA leaders showed their profound respect to the memory of the architect of the nation's independence.
Bangladesh has risen to the odds to come close to becoming a middle-income country and is progressing every day, BGMEA said.
BGMEA President discusses trade issues with EU Ambassador
European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh Rensje Teerink made a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at BGMEA office on Tuesday.
They had discussion on trade issues including sustainability, ways to strengthen EU-BD partnership, and further cooperation between Bangladesh and the EU for development of the industry.
Also read:BGMEA for keeping factories shut
The BGMEA President thanked the Ambassador for the friendly support of the European Union for betterment of Bangladesh’s apparel industry.
BGMEA’s Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin and Jeremy Opritesco, Deputy Head of Mission of the European Union to Bangladesh were also present at the meeting.
Challenges await as Faruque-led new BGMEA board takes charge
The Faruque Hassan-led board of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) took charge of office on Tuesday as the apparel sector faces tough challenges amid the coronavirus outbreak.
The outgoing board handed over the charge at a programme in Dhaka. The new board will be at the helm of the trade body for the 2021-23 term.
BGMEA President Faruque, the Managing Director of Giant Group, succeeds Rubana Huq, the first woman to lead the body.
He faces big challenges as the world struggles to free itself from the grip of coronavirus which has hit the global economy hard. The apparel sector saw orders of billions of dollars being cancelled during the pandemic last year. Thousands of jobs in the factories were also lost.
Also read: New BGMEA office bearers announced
Rubana Huq described 2020 as an alarming year for the sector.
The situation was improving gradually when the coronavirus situation worsened suddenly in Bangladesh. Continuing operations braving the odds and maintaining Bangladesh's position as the second-largest exporter of RMG goods after China will be some of the key challenges of the Faruque-led board.
"I want to unite the BGMEA to face the challenges and help the sector grow," he had after the announcement of the results of the election held on April 4.
Sammilita Parishad led by Faruque won 24 directors’ posts out of 35 while the opposition panel, Forum, bagged 11 posts.
Also read: Faruque Hasan-led Sammilito Parishad wins BGMEA election
Other office-bearers of the apex trade body are – Syed Nazrul Islam (Chattogram), first vice president; SM Mannan Kochi, senior vice president; Shahidullah Azim, vice president; Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, vice president (finance); Miran Ali, vice president; Md Nasiruddin, vice president and Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, vice president (Chattogram).
This year, 1,996 BGMEA members out of 2,314, cast their votes. Of them, 1,604 votes from Dhaka and 392 from Chattogram were cast in the election.
BGMEA elects new leadership Sunday
The biennial election of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is going to be held on Sunday at the Radisson Blu hotel in Dhaka.
Two panels are contesting the powerful trade body's election this year. Earlier, Shadhinata Parishad merged with the Sammilita Parishad led by Managing Director of Giant Group Faruque Hassan. On the other hand, Chairman of Hannan Group ABM Shamsuddin is leading the Forum panel as its candidate for president. Current BGMEA president Dr Rubana Huq is contesting as a panel member of Forum.
Also read: BGMEA election: Sammilita Parishad announces manifesto
Former Vice President of BGMEA Mohammad Nasir said a total of 14 polling booths have been set up to cast votes from 9am to 7pm - an extra 3 hours over the usual to allow COVID-19 health protocols to be maintained.
“A total of 1853 voters are in Dhaka and 461 in Chattogram. New board will take over on April 20. Five Vice Presidents in Dhaka and two in Chattogram will be elected in the election,” he also said.
Also read: BGMEA Election: Forum candidates pledge to work selflessly for industry
The candidates for each panel are numbered serially on each ballot: 1-35 are the Forum candidates and from 36-70 for Sammilita Parishid in the election.
BGMEA Election: Forum candidates pledge to work selflessly for industry
All the candidates nominated for BGMEA Election-2021 by Forum, the panel with one of the strongest coalitions of the country's leading apparel exporters behind it, have pledged to work selflessly for the advancement of the RMG industry.
BGMEA-HSBC teaming up to 'Export Culture of Bangladesh'
BGMEA and HSBC on Monday signed an agreement on BGMEA’s pledge to export the culture of Bangladesh.