Sammilita Parishad pledges to address RMG sector challenges

Sammilita Parishad, a panel of apparel makers contesting the upcoming election of the BGMEA, on Thursday pledged to address the challenges that the country's readymade garment sector has been facing amid the global volatile situation.

Leaders of the panel also expressed their commitment that they, if elected, would not engage in or support flattery.

Some leaders engaged in shameless flattery during the previous government tenure, Quazi Moniruzzaman, president of the panel, said in response to a question. They want to do business with transparency, accountability, and dignity, he added.

"We won't support any flattery; rather, we will take the required measures against such acts," the former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said, while addressing a meet the press programme held at a city hotel.

The BGMEA election for the term of 2025-27 is scheduled to take place on May 31.

Md Abul Kalam, another leader of the panel, said the trade body's election is going to take place at a time when global trade is going through a challenging period, especially due to the new US tariff regime.

The proposed new regime has also created risk for the local RMG industry in the US market, he said, adding that some internal factors such as energy crisis and its pricing, complexities in customs, bond, and issues related to banking sector and LDC graduation, are also among the challenges for the industry.

Mr Kalam, managing director of Chaity Group, mentioned that a strong panel has been formed with experienced, educated, and professional second-generation entrepreneurs to realise industry-friendly policy support from the government and increase export growth.

Faruque Hassan, former BGMEA president and chief election coordinator of Sammilita Parishad, said they would unveil their election manifesto on May 21 when they would go into detail about the way forward for the apparel sector.

If elected, they would highlight issues related to betterment of the RMG sector through measures. These include trade facilitation, up-skilling mid-level managers, a digital transformation centre, unified code of conduct, progress on revenue sector reforms, apparel diplomacy, and LDC graduation.

Two panels - Sammilita Parishad and Forum - are contesting each with 35 candidates while Oikkyo Parishad is contesting with six candidates for 35 posts in the board of directors.

Responding to a question, Mr Hassan said the ongoing pen-down strike by field-level officials from the income tax, VAT, and customs offices is negatively affecting business activities.

He, however, expressed hope that the two newly created divisions - the Revenue Policy Division and the Revenue Management Division - will function effectively if implemented properly following the dissolution of the NBR.

munni_fe@yahoo.com