Global apparel buyers urge BGMEA to expedite shipments to India through land ports

A number of garment buyers who have stores in India and source products from Bangladesh have sought support from the apparel apex body BGMEA to expedite shipments from Bangladesh to the neighbouring country, especially through land ports.

India in May this year banned garment import from Bangladesh through land ports and allowed exports from Bangladesh only through seaports, which, according to them, were causing significant supply shortages.

The concern was expressed and support sought at a meeting between buyers' forum and leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) held on Wednesday at the trade body's office at Uttara in the city.

Top representatives from about 40 global brands and retailers including H&M, Puma, PVH, Gap, Lidl, Aldi, Tchibo, Bestseller, Target USA, among others, were present in the meeting.

Earlier, on September 02, The Economic Times reported that leading global fashion retailers in India including Marks & Spencer, H&M, Zudio, and Lifestyle, were facing supply shortages amid a prolonged restriction on import of readymade garments from Bangladesh through land ports.

The ban has led to delays of two to three weeks in merchandise sourcing, especially in lower-price categories, it reported.

When asked, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said buyers who had business in India raised the issue as they faced some difficulties with exporting to India following the ban on trade through land ports.

"We have informed them (buyers) that BGMEA has raised its concern about the issue to related authorities including tariff commission," he said adding they will also engage Bangladesh Textile Mills Association in the process to further expedite the next course of action.

Buyers want goods to enter and go through land ports, he said terming the decision 'political'.

Meeting sources said they also discussed a number of issues including the need to formulate a unified code of conduct, LDC graduation and its challenges and preparations, US's 20 per cent reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi goods, product diversification, labour situation and amendments to the labour law and national election.

Talking to the FE, BGMEA director Faisal Samad said the main objective of the meeting was to develop a partnership strategy for the future of the garment industry and move forward on the path of sustainable development.

They exchanged views on areas where apparel brands and BGMEA can further strengthen cooperation to ensure a sustainable supply chain, he said.

Talking over unified code of conduct, he said they would form a joint working group in this connection with representatives from manufacturers, buyers and audit/certification agencies to address audit fatigues related complexity and identify feasible options for developing and implementing a unified code of conduct.

BGMEA director Nafis-ud-Doula made a presentation on how a unified code of conduct can simplify the audit process, reduce pressure on factories and make the industry more ethical, sustainable and responsible.

To ensure a sustainable supply chain, brands representatives emphasised on logistics development, resolving NBR and customs-related complications, improving labour standards in line with international ones and environmental sustainability, meeting sources said.

They also stressed on labor reforms, they added.

The BGMEA president highlighted the recent progress in labour reforms in Bangladesh adding that these reforms are being carried out not only to meet international standards but also to ensure a sustainable and safe industrial environment.

At the meeting, BGMEA leaders called on brands to increase apparel sourcing from Bangladesh and strengthen partnerships with suppliers in Bangladesh to produce more innovative and value added products.

Brand representatives said the industry has huge opportunity of growth through fashion designing and suggested introducing course in technical design at BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) and hiring young fashion designers at the factory level.

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