US Ambassador Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat today said the United States would continue its support to boost the export of Bangladeshi readymade garments (RMG) envisaged by the government by 2021.
“We will continue to work with BGMEA to help it to reach the score US$ 50 million export by the country’s 50th anniversary,” she said after a meeting with leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at BGMEA headquarters.Terming RMG as the jobs growth sector for Bangladesh, the US envoy said it clearly drives social change in the country as well as good environmental practices.
“I pledge my government will do all it can to help ensure you can achieve all these goals, and we think achieving all of these goals are integral for the RMG sector productivity as well as its brand worldwide,” added Bernicat.
She commented good things are already happening here as dangerous factories have already been closed, new labour inspectors have been hired, over 200 hundred trade unions have been recognized, remediation efforts are underway and the level of transparency involved specially in inspection process is laudable.
“The most important things I learned about the efforts are under way now here in Bangladesh that is unparallel anywhere in the world,” she added.
Emphasizing implementation of law, Bernicat said Bangladesh’s labour act must be assured so the factories can effectively comply with the law.
Calling upon the owners for discussion, she said: “The employers need to sit down, they must sit down with the worker communities and unions.”
BGMEA President Atiqul Islam made a presentation on the RMG factories, present situation and export to US market and rest of the countries.
He said Bangladesh is facing continuous challenges from Vietnam, India and Pakistan, and Pakistan is getting privilege in EU market due to its GSP Plus status.
Atiqul sought more cooperation from United States to export the RMG products to its market.
The BGMEA president said if people, power, price, place and politics are ensured, they will reach the target. – News Desk
