Garment and textile leaders expressed firm concern about the present situation of the country as another 48-hour country wide hartal sets off tomorrow, called by the opposition party BNP, demanding release of its leaders and workers detained on March 11 following police raids on its party office.
Expressing concern upon Bangladesh’s economy, the leaders of apparel makers and exporters also urged the opposition to call off of the strikes, as businesses are already been reeling from different internal and external shocks.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) in a joint statement said shutdowns hold back economic growth, limit exports and discourage investment. The economy will not be able to meet these losses, they said.
Foreign buyers threatened to cancel their orders if delivery is delayed. In order to meet the lead time, exporters have to go pay expensive air freights.
The exporters said the global economic crisis and energy and infrastructure shortages at home have already dealt a blow to their business.
Source: Priyo