Online Desk: Speakers at a seminar and book launching programme emphasised customs, bond license policy review along with the labour force recruitment issues for sustainable development in the readymade garment sector of Bangladesh.

They were speaking at a seminar on ‘RMG Contemporary Issue and Book Launching’, held at ERF Auditorium in the capital on Saturday.

Speaking regarding the book ‘Bangladesh RMG and Sustainable Development’ author Dr Mohammad Hsan said that only because of the bond licence the garment sector may face challenges whereas the bond licences helped growing of the garment sector.

There are 4186 bond licences stopped and some new 1500 bond licences were issued this time. This issue needs to be reviewed considering the changing times, he pointed out.

He mentioned, “Some bureaucratic restrictions might be barriers to the garment sector development, and these issues should be discussed at the policy level. We cannot bring back any export cargo because of bureaucracy problems.”

The president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan, also the chief guest in the event, said that Bangladesh’s garment sector reached a position with the help time befitting policy.

But now some policy is needed to review for sustainable growth of the sector and bring product diversification here, he pointed out.

He also said Bangladesh has to focus on high value RMG production along with regular items to reach the $100 billion RMG export target.

Faruque said that Bangladesh garment industry reached the second top position in the world, but there are many challenges in the global arena, so product innovation is to be a priority to face the competitors.

He also focused on uninterrupted gas and electricity supply in the garment sector as it is very essential for quality and timely production.

Mohammad Hatem, executive president of BKMEA, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Director of BGMEA, Professor Akhter Hussain of DU, Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of BUILD, Mayeesha Mahmud, Director, Cotton Group, Ilahi Dad Khan, ex-Bureaucrate, among others, spoke in the event. Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha, president of ERF moderated the programme.