Apparel makers have demanded duty-free import of safety equipment required for making their factories safe and environment-friendly ones.
The demand was made at a press conference held at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Saturday.
“The import of sprinkler, fire door and other safety and environment-friendly equipment should be made duty-free ones. We’re requesting the government to take steps to that end,” BGMEA President M Atiqul Islam said.
He also demanded duty withdrawal on import of ‘pre-fabricated’ materials required for building construction.
The chief of the country’s apparel sector apex trade body, however, mentioned that the government has agreed to reduce duty on some safety equipment from 61 percent to 15 percent.
Islam also demanded quick implementation of Garment Industrial Park project to be set up at Gojaria, Munshiganj.
Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar, BGMEA second vice president SM Mannan Kochi, vice president Reaz-Bin-Mahmood Sumon and Bangladesh Knitwear Exporters and Manufacturers Association (BKMEA) first vice president M Hatem were, among others, present.
Earlier, the BGMEA president described the programmes taken to observe the first anniversary of Rana Plaza building collapse.
Source: UNBConnect
