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Forum, a panel contesting the upcoming BGMEA election, on Tuesday, announced its election manifesto, giving priority to branding the RMG industry, reducing business operational cost and facilitating trade.
The other priority of the coalition is to expand the locally made RMG products.
Forum, the coalition of a group of the country’s RMG manufacturers and exporters, as part of its election manifesto for the trade body’s election for the 2021-23 term, also pledged to build a sustainable RMG industry.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Dr Rubana Huq, who is also contesting the biennial election scheduled to be held on April 04, announced their manifesto at a press conference held at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka Hotel.
ABM Shamsuddin, Forum panel leader, among others, was also present at the conference.
Speaking at the conference, Mr Shamsuddin said the industry has been facing a number of challenges including price pressure from buyers while they (buyers) are taking advantages of the pandemic by suspending orders and shipments.
In the next two years, the industry is going to face numerous problems and obstacles, he said adding during this time, the BGMEA needs an effective board composed of trustworthy, dutiful, hardworking and experienced individuals.
“Forum is committed to presenting this council, which if elected, would seek to create a sustainable industry,” he noted.
If elected, Ms Huq vowed to review the directors’ performance every three months in the cleaner and efficient BGMEA segment.
They would also consider reorganizing the BUFT (BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology) trustee council, she said adding a discussion group composed of the broad industry will be created.
The 13 parts of the Forum’s core manifesto included measures towards fair price and buyers accountability, protection and efficiency of the industry, technological efficiency, LDC graduation, skills and innovation, sustainability and SDG, labour welfare and cleaner and efficient BGMEA.
According to the election pledges, the panel would work to increase cash incentive for small and medium enterprises to 10 per cent from the existing five per cent, developing an exit policy for sick industries, formulating a guideline to ensure payment of shipped goods and set up a cell jointly by BGMEA, central bank and foreign missions to bring non-repatriated export proceeds.
The manifesto divided into three sections. The first section explained Forum’s achievement, second addressed activities in progress and the last discussed future plans.
Sammilita Parishad, another group of RMG manufacturers and exporters, led by Faruque Hassan, former BGMEA vice president and managing director of Giant Group, is also contesting the election.
The Parishad on March 17 also announced their election manifesto with the priority to increase locally made garment exports, its share on the global market, branding the image of the industry and diversifying both market and the items.