BGMEA: Remove derogatory comments about 'Made in Bangladesh' from French movie

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought steps to remove derogatory comments about "Made in Bangladesh" in a newly released French movie.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has written to Bangladesh Ambassador to France Kazi Imtiaz Hossain and French Ambassador in Dhaka Jean-Marin SCHUH, seeking their steps in this regard.

In a letter to the French ambassador on Wednesday, the BGMEA president said: "The BGMEA, on behalf of the whole apparel fraternity, further presses a more vehement protest through you and we believe you shall communicate the same to the concerned French authority, to take instant action and remove the statement in question from the said movie."

The BGMEA had also written to the ambassador on August 7 regarding the derogatory comments about "Made in Bangladesh" in the French movie "Last Mercenary" directed by David Charon.

"Made in Bangladesh" is more than just a pride for our nation, it is a mission statement, with the ultimate goal of branding Bangladesh around the globe.

Over the 50 years of independence of Bangladesh, which was earned by the sacrifice of millions, the RMG sector has become one of the major drivers of our economy and its journey over the last 3 decades have been praiseworthy amongst the other economies as well, said the BGMEA chief.

"Previously, we had addressed this concern to the CEO of Netflix and the director of the movie, but to our extreme disappointment, we have not received any response from them. The movie continues to be in the playlist of Netflix and that too containing the impugned lines in it," he said.

The BGMEA condemned this and further extended its hand in making a stronger plea to the French government and their film fraternity to take immediate action to remove the statement in question.

In a separate letter to the Bangladesh ambassador, the BGMEA president said the comments made are totally wrong as Bangladesh does not produce bullet-proof jackets at all, and the apparels we are producing for over the past four decades have earned the trust of the buyers and consumers from across the globe through its quality standard and competitive price.

"Hence, it's an irrationally stated misleading statement," said the BGMEA chief.

The BGMEA, on behalf of the whole apparel industry, further pressed a more vehement protest through the Bangladesh ambassador to the French authorities concerned, to take instant action and remove the statement in question from the said movie.