NEWS reports said garment exporters are taking the brunt of the ‘security concerns’ at the highest; which recently surfaced centering the planned visit of Australian Cricket team to Bangladesh and ended in the cancellation of the trip taking the concern as a real threat. The report has quoted functionaries of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) as saying that the fallout of the recent travel alerts by some western countries has panicked buyers of garment from Bangladesh. In fact, what we want to say is that Bangladesh is suffering from political uncertainly and lawlessness impacting the common people, not by sort of bloody terrorism let lose by local or international terrorist groups in other countries. But the country has become victim of such security alerts and many blame the government for excessive use of such treats to win more internal support as a cover to destroy the opposition politics.
The media reports said buyers have expressed concern over the country’s law and order situation and some buyers already deferred their scheduled visit to Dhaka to negotiate new order citing security issues. Although some countries have already relaxed some travel advisories the fear has made its impact. Garment makers would have to fly to buyer’s country or third country now to negotiate new order; which they used to do in their annual visits here holding discussions, visiting factories and looking at other quality matters and shipment issues. Most exporters would have to go to Singapore or Hong Kong now, in addition to European and US buyers’ headquarters to strike new supply deals.
BGMEA functionaries hold the view that the killing of an Italian aid worker does not indicate that the safety and security of all foreigners are at strake. Such killing is also taking place in other countries including the USA. But for Bangladesh it has become a sensitive issue and gaining buyers’ confidence has become all the more important for exporters if the country has to retain its supply line unaffected in the highly competitive world market.
In our view Bangladesh must take cautious step towards confidence building to say the world that they have nothing to fear of terrorism in our land. The government leaders have made clear that foreign terrorist outfits are having no presence in the country from which foreigners visiting Bangladesh may face threat. The postponement of the visit of Australia cricket team is an unfortunate incident blurred by the killing of the Italian national in Dhaka. There is no evidence that any buyer was so far victim of such attack. But there is no denying of the fact that Bangladesh must overcome confrontational politics to end uncertainty in domestic sector which is adding inputs to global fear.
The media reports said buyers have expressed concern over the country’s law and order situation and some buyers already deferred their scheduled visit to Dhaka to negotiate new order citing security issues. Although some countries have already relaxed some travel advisories the fear has made its impact. Garment makers would have to fly to buyer’s country or third country now to negotiate new order; which they used to do in their annual visits here holding discussions, visiting factories and looking at other quality matters and shipment issues. Most exporters would have to go to Singapore or Hong Kong now, in addition to European and US buyers’ headquarters to strike new supply deals.
BGMEA functionaries hold the view that the killing of an Italian aid worker does not indicate that the safety and security of all foreigners are at strake. Such killing is also taking place in other countries including the USA. But for Bangladesh it has become a sensitive issue and gaining buyers’ confidence has become all the more important for exporters if the country has to retain its supply line unaffected in the highly competitive world market.
In our view Bangladesh must take cautious step towards confidence building to say the world that they have nothing to fear of terrorism in our land. The government leaders have made clear that foreign terrorist outfits are having no presence in the country from which foreigners visiting Bangladesh may face threat. The postponement of the visit of Australia cricket team is an unfortunate incident blurred by the killing of the Italian national in Dhaka. There is no evidence that any buyer was so far victim of such attack. But there is no denying of the fact that Bangladesh must overcome confrontational politics to end uncertainty in domestic sector which is adding inputs to global fear.
