Rejecting the Transparency International Bangladesh’s findings on the garment sector, knitwear makers alleged that the TIB report might be part of a conspiracy against the apparel industry of Bangladesh, adding that the report will encourage “conspiracy” at the local and international levels against the country’s highest export earner.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) made this observation in a media statement issued on Saturday.
Also Read – Irregularities rampant in Bangladesh’s RMG supply chain: Study
“The TIB report surprises and frustrates us simultaneously,” stated BKMEA president AKM Selim Osman in the press communiqué, adding, “We doubt whether the report reflects the overall garment industry.” This he said in reference to the number of firms that have been interviewed by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) for its study.
The BKMEA statement underlined that 70 firms or individuals, who were interviewed by the TIB, did not represent the practical and structural activities of 5,500 industries in the sector adding further that knitwear manufacturers’ body was surprised that TIB did not discuss with the BKMEA or the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on its findings at any stage of the preparation of the report.
BKMEA thus categorically stated that it will not endorse the TIB’s study, which is destructive to Bangladesh’s image and will affect the economy and the export-oriented garment industry of the country.
Also Read – BGMEA trash TIB report; terms it detrimental to garment sector
It may be mentioned here that the TIB released a report on Thursday, in which it stated that the supply chain of the garment industry is plagued by irregularities and corruption for which international apparel buyers are also responsible. The TIB report also pointed towards alleged use of bribes to hush up various irregularities as well.
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