Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Monday urged the government to take necessary security steps on the roads and highways that are used for transporting export-import cargoes.
They have made the call in the wake of street violence following 20-party alliance’s countrywide non-stop blockade programme.
“We need adequate security measures on the roads and highways for smooth transportation of export-import cargoes,” M Shahidullah Azim, vice-president of BGMEA, told The New Nation yesterday.
Cargo laden vehicles often come under the arson attack by unruly pickets while going to their destination during blockade posing uncertainty over timely shipment. “Transportation of garments and other goods on Dhaka-Chittagong highway will be difficult unless a special security measure is taken during the ongoing blockade,” he added.
Azim also said that they will sit for an emergency meeting with the office bearers of the BGMEA today (Tuesday) to discuss the matter. Later, they will make the call officially.
The BGMEA leader also urged BNP to spare the garment sector from shutdowns and
blockades, as it is a crucial time for shipments abroad.
“We have told political parties that we do not want to be the victim of politics. If the current situation continues, we will have to shut our businesses,” he added.
When asked, he said the business community never accepts destructive political programme like hartal and blockade because it badly affects the trade and business and wrecks investors’ confidence. It is tarnishing image of the country also, he added.
He said the national economy loses a lot in the previous political crises and businesses are paying its cost everyday. “The ongoing political turmoil seems to be heading towards another political confrontation that happened during the last six months of 2013. This will not yield any good result to the country and first victim of it will be the country’s garment sector,” he added.
The BGMEA leader further said that it seems that we become hostage of the two major political parties and tension between the two camps leading to political instability and thus harming economic prospect of the country.”
Azim, however, expects a sensible role from the political leaders so that the country’s business should not be affected from political programmes.
Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Monday urged the government to take necessary security steps on the roads and highways that are used for transporting export-import cargoes.
They have made the call in the wake of street violence following 20-party alliance’s countrywide non-stop blockade programme.
“We need adequate security measures on the roads and highways for smooth transportation of export-import cargoes,” M Shahidullah Azim, vice-president of BGMEA, told The New Nation yesterday.
Cargo laden vehicles often come under the arson attack by unruly pickets while going to their destination during blockade posing uncertainty over timely shipment. “Transportation of garments and other goods on Dhaka-Chittagong highway will be difficult unless a special security measure is taken during the ongoing blockade,” he added.
Azim also said that they will sit for an emergency meeting with the office bearers of the BGMEA today (Tuesday) to discuss the matter. Later, they will make the call officially.
The BGMEA leader also urged BNP to spare the garment sector from shutdowns and
blockades, as it is a crucial time for shipments abroad.
“We have told political parties that we do not want to be the victim of politics. If the current situation continues, we will have to shut our businesses,” he added.
When asked, he said the business community never accepts destructive political programme like hartal and blockade because it badly affects the trade and business and wrecks investors’ confidence. It is tarnishing image of the country also, he added.
He said the national economy loses a lot in the previous political crises and businesses are paying its cost everyday. “The ongoing political turmoil seems to be heading towards another political confrontation that happened during the last six months of 2013. This will not yield any good result to the country and first victim of it will be the country’s garment sector,” he added.
The BGMEA leader further said that it seems that we become hostage of the two major political parties and tension between the two camps leading to political instability and thus harming economic prospect of the country.”
Azim, however, expects a sensible role from the political leaders so that the country’s business should not be affected from political programmes.
