Brexit will not affect export of Bangladesh, PM says

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said Brexit will not hamper the business, especially export, of Bangladesh as the export-related agreements with the foreign countries, particularly the European ones, will remain intact.

Sheikh Hasina also urged the businesspersons of Bangladesh to stay alert against the propaganda now being carried out against the government as this is ultimately affecting the businesses.

The Prime Minister made the call when a delegation of BGMEA called on her at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in Dhaka on Wednesday, reports BSS.

“There are some people (in our country) who are out to conduct propaganda (against us) as part of their efforts to harm me politically. You (business community) should address it as you are being affected by it,” she said.

Mentioning that the garments sector has been playing a great role in the country’s development, the premier said, “You should give more importance to the diversification of products to boost exports further.”

Referring to a meeting held in London with Bangladeshi envoys stationed in the European countries, the Prime Minister said she had asked the envoys to explore new markets for the Bangladeshi products.

Newly elected leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), led by its president Dr Rubana Huq, met the Prime Minister at her office and put forwarded various demands before her.

PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman, former BGMEA presidents Anisur Rahman Sinha, Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, and Siddiqur Rahman, and first senior vice president Mohammad Abdus Salam and senior vice president Foysal Samad, among others, spoke on the occasion.

Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman and PM’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim were present.

Sheikh Hasina, also the Awami League president, said, “We are giving all possible facilities to the garments sector for its advancement as it has generated huge employments, particularly for women, and played a role in the country’s development.”

 “We have also given necessary supports to resolve the problems of the backward linkage industry,” she added.

Describing Bangladesh as an agricultural country, said, “We want to develop the country in all fronts. We have to give emphasis on both agriculture and industrialization in the same manner as the overall development of the country will not be possible without industrialization.”

In this context, the Prime Minister said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had initiated industrialization in the country.

She, however, asked the BGMEA leaders not to set up industries beside roads rather to build those in the industrial zones.