The country’s readymade garments (RMG) and textile businessmen would like to get policy support from the new government like previous years, and relief from tax and customs harassments as well as resolving dollar crisis.

They also sought uninterrupted power and energy supply in industries, resolving obstacles at ports and on roads, reducing the costs of doing business, as well as adopting trade-friendly fiscal policies.

Talking to the Daily Sun, Executive President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Hatem said, “We congratulate Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for winning the fourth consecutive tenure on behalf of our industry. And, we want continuous support like previous years from the new government for the industry’s development.”

Replying a question, Mohammad Hatem, also Managing Director of MB Knit Fashion Ltd, said, “The Prime Minister knows about the industry’s problems. We expect that she will try to remove all obstacles to facilitate business climate providing policy support.  Business community is facing gas crisis and harassed by taxes and customs officials. We want to do a hassle free business in the country.”

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) president Mohammad Ali Khokon hoped that the new government will be business friendly, and take positive strategies to remove the current challenges like dollar crisis, power and energy shortages.

“We want to become a part of the country’s one billion dollar exports and trillion-dollar economic journey. We believe ensuring rules of law in the country, building a development country’s status due time,” he also said.

Khokon pointed out that global condition is now challenging due to economic headwinds.

“So, we need business friendly policy support to help flourish the country’s economy. And we are optimistic about the new government. We hope that the next government would play vital role to move forward the country,” Khokon, also Chairman of Maksons Spinning Mills Ltd said.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Mohiuddin Rubel told the Daily Sun that the new government must prioritise business particularly garment industry as Bangladesh’s economy almost dependent on the industry.

“We want to obtain the first position exporting apparel items in the global market. So, the new government should focus on the ease of doing business,” he also added.

Key problems at ports and on roads

Mohammad Hatem also stated that local business barriers are big problem for them compared to global challenges for their industry right now. So the major problems at ports and also on roads should be removed to flourish the business and economy.

Mohiuddin, also additional managing director of Denim Expert Ltd, added that the utility and infrastructure facilities should be given priority to sustain in the global market.

Mohammad Ali Khokon added that Bangladesh’s economy will reach $1 trillion by 2041 so infrastructure development is import here.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), export earnings from the country’s readymade garment (RMG) sector reached $47.39 billion in 2023. Of that amount, earnings from knitwear and woven garment exports were $46.99 billion, and that from home textile was $1.09 billion.

17 garments, textile businessmen win in the 12th national polls

A total of seventeen RMG and textile businessmen have been elected in the 12th parliament election held on 7 January. Some of them took tickets from Awami League, and Jatiya Party, and some of them participated in the election as independent candidates.

Awami League bagged 222 Seats, Independent candidates 62 Seats, Jatiya Party 11 Seats, and others 3 Seats in the election. The polls of additional two Seats will be held later.

Among the winners from the export industry are – Founder of Beximco Textiles Salman F Rahman, Founder of Sepal Group Tipu Munshi, Entrepreneur of Renaissance and Interstaff Group, Md. Shahriar Alam, managing director of Ha-meem group A k Azad, Managing Director of Envoy Group Abdus Salam Murshedy, Founder Chairman of Well Group Abdus Salam, Managing Director of Wisdom Attires Ltd AKM Salim Osman, Chairman of Shasha Denims Ltd Anisul Islam Mahmud, Managing Director of Mondol Group Abdul Momin Mondol, Managing Director of Tusuka Group Fayzur Rahman (Badal), Managing Director of Nipa Fashion Wear Industry Ltd Md. Khosru Chowdhury, Entrepreneur of Sparrow Group Chayan Islam, Director of Axis Knitwear Ltd Dewan Zahid Ahmed Tutul, and Managing Director of Smart Group Muzibur Rahman, Tajul Islam of Fabian Group, Nasrul Hamid (Bipu) of Hamid Fashion,  and Bengal Group Chairman Morshed Alam.

Of them, from independent candidates, Well Group Founder Chairman Abdus Salam in Chattogrma-8 constituency, Nipa Group Chairman Mohammad Khosru Chowdhury in Dhaka-18, Ha-Meem Group Chairman AK Azad in Faridpur-3.

Meanwhile, from the Jatiya Party, Anisul Islam Mahmud in Chattogram-5 constituency and Salim Osman Narayanganj-5 secured the victory in the election. Others were elected from AL Seats.

The BKMEA Executive President told the Daily Sun that they are happy, and congratulated all members of parliaments who engaged in the textile and RMG business.

He hoped a vital role from them to develop the industry.

AK Azad said that he will create more employments to eliminate unemployment at first. “I will set up several training centres for low skilled people in Faridpur, and sent them in Dhaka for jobs. I want to ensure quality education. Later, I will try to establish an industrial park or special economic zone where gas from Bhola district would be connected. Local and foreign investors can invest here,” he also said.

He pointed out that some mayhem, and irregularities committed in the election. But there were no big occurrence in the election thanks to activeness of law enforcements and Returning officers.