Sammilito Parishad demands adequate gas, electricity

Garment manufacturers and exporters demanded adequate supply of gas and electricity to production units and a reduction in bank interest rates to enhance production and exports, a leader of one of the panels that contest the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) polls said yesterday.

Md Abul Kalam, the leader of Sammilito Parishad, was addressing garment exporters at an iftar event organised by the panel at the Army Golf Club in Dhaka.

It is possible to increase annual garment exports to $60 billion from the current $42 billion in the next five years if adequate gas and electricity can be supplied to industrial textile and garment units, he said.

He also made a commitment to achieve this target if Sammilito Parishad wins the upcoming BGMEA elections, scheduled to be held on May 28.

Quazi Moniruzzaman, a former BGMEA president, said the apparel sector has been passing through tough times and the challenges would continue to prevail in the next few months as expenses would increase for Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha.

Kutubuddin Ahmed, another former BGMEA president, urged those present to help the body's members exercise their voting rights and elect the best leaders.

SM Fazlul Hoque, a former BGMEA president, said the association has played a big role in helping the garment sector of Bangladesh to thrive, but sometimes the sector falls in trouble because of non-cooperation from some quarters.

Former BGMEA presidents Faruque Hassan, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam and Redwan Ahmed also spoke.