TIB should be sued: Tofail

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday said a case 'should be filed' against the Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) for what he said its 'false, motivated and imaginary' reports on Bangladesh's readymade garment industry.

“TIB is trying to harm the country's garment industry by presenting untrue, imaginary and motivated information,” he said, suggesting a case against TIB, accusing it of carrying out a motivated and intentional campaign against the industry.

The TIB, in its latest report, claimed that the supply chain of the garment industry, the country's biggest export earner, is plagued by irregularities and corruption for which global apparel buyers are also responsible.

The organisation also detected anomalies at 16 stages -- from order placement to shipment -- in the apparel supply chain.

Ahmed made the remark while addressing as the chief guest the closing ceremony of the seventh international garments accessories and packaging exposition titled 'Gapexpo-2016' in the city.

Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA), ASK Trade and Exhibition Private Ltd, India, and Zakaria Trade and Fair International co-organised the fair at the International Convention City, Bashundhara to showcase the latest products and collections of garment exporters and buying houses.

Ahmed said the TIB is carrying out the negative campaign intentionally and 'in a very planned way' so foreigners and foreign buyers form a negative perception about Bangladesh and its garment industry.

He said the Accord and Alliance regularly inspect the garment factories and the foreign diplomats stationed in Dhaka also expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the sector. “We've overcome the trust deficit and challenges that had emerged after the Rana Plaza disaster,” Ahmed said.

He said Bangladesh's garment industry is now fully compliant, and workers are now working in a safe environment.

The minister also said all the stakeholders in the industry are working in a planned way to reach the $50-billion export target by 2021. He said Bangladesh's overall export to the US market is on the rise though the generalised system of preferences (GSP) remains suspended there.

Deputy Minister for Environment and Forests Abdullah Al Islam Jakob, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Abdul Matlub Ahmad and former BGMEA president Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez also spoke at the programme with BGAPMEA President Rafez Alam Chowdhury in the chair.