Representatives of the various global brands and retail sellers said that they won’t cancel any buy order of readymade garments (RMG) of Bangladesh for late shipment due to countrywide violence centering recent quota-reform movement.

They also called upon the local RMG exporters to ensure to send RMG products on time. They also emphasized uninterrupted internet service to maintain communication with the retail sellers and exporters.     

After the meeting, SM Mannan Kochi said, “Global buyers’ forum has assured us that they won’t cancel RMG buy order from Bangladesh. We have presented the current situation of the country to the buyers’ forum.”

In response to a question by the journalists, the BGMEA chief said government and private offices, RMG factories, ports, and internet services have remained shut for the last few days. Considering the situation, buyers assured that they won’t seek discounts on any RMG product and air shipment.     

He also said the buyers’ forum has expressed their concern about the internet shutdown and wanted assurance of uninterrupted speedy internet service in future.   

Kochi said, “We have shared our measures to keep the RMG production and supply chain with the buyers. We have been observing the overall situation including ports, central banks and NBR and assured them that we are taking the initiative to resolve the issues.     

A lot of RMG production, export, and marketing have been affected during the unwanted five days. “Our factories have been affected financially and our supply chain has been disrupted,” he added.   

The BGMEA president informed that the government has been convinced to speed up the loading and unloading operations at the land ports and sea ports alongside ensuring that the importers and exporters need not pay any demurrage at any port because of unexpected delay in loading and unloading of consignments.

@ The article was published on print and online versions of The Bangladesh Pratidin on July 30, 2024, and has been rewritten in English by Golam Rosul.