'Coronavirus affects RMG supply chain, no negative impact on export'
Govt officials say at an inter-ministerial meeting
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The country's readymade garment (RMG) sector is facing some problems in supply chain due to coronavirus outbreak, but there is no negative impact on the export of RMG products.
Top government officials came up with the statement at an inter-ministerial meeting at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the city recently, reports BSS on Wednesday.
Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus presided over the meeting on ‘Prevention and treatment of COVID-19 and fixing measures to face the impact of Coronavirus on Bangladesh’s Economy’.
Finance Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder, Senior Secretary of the Banking and Financial Institutions Division Md Ashadul Islam, Commerce Secretary Dr Md Jafar Uddin, Internal Resources Secretary and National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abu Hena Md Rahmatul Muneem, Bangladesh Bank deputy governor and senior officials of the different ministries, divisions and departments attended the meeting.
The officials also said there is no impact of coronavirus on the prices of essential commodities as the country has sufficient stock and supply of all products.
Dr Kaikaus asked the health ministry to ensure 100 per cent thermal scanning at different borders and airports, including Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, for inbound passengers from different countries, including China.
He put emphasis on making short, medium and long term contingency plans and implementing the plans in stipulated time and continuing the increasing trend of import, export and remittance for achieving the target of economic growth.
Abdur Rouf expressed his hope that the country will achieve higher growth in the current fiscal due to increasing investment in the economic zones and ongoing mega projects.
Jafar Uddin said the importers of the country had issued import orders for machinery, raw materials and chemicals of garments industry and onion, garlic, ginger and others essential commodities before the Chinese New Year.
“Bangladesh is also importing essential commodities from India, Myanmar, Egypt and Turkey. So there is sufficient supply and stock of essential commodities in the market,” he added.