Playing down fears of supply chain disruption that might impact Bangladesh apparel exporters, Chinese Ambassador in Dhaka Li Jiming recently called upon the entrepreneurs to not contemplate alternative trade partners as the situation in China is not grave enough.
“My strong advice to Bangladeshi businessmen is that they shouldn’t drop China from the supply chain in favour of any other country,” stated Li Jiming addressing the media adding, “Firstly, it (finding alternative suppliers) is almost impossible. Secondly, the expenses would be higher and thirdly, there’s no need for it. For these reasons I urge them not to look for different business destinations.”
It may be mentioned here that apparel manufacturers in Bangladesh had earlier expressed their apprehensions of business disruption in view of the Coronavirus outbreak in China, on which the apparel manufacturing hub depends heavily for raw materials.
The Chinese envoy, however, underlined that delivery imports from China are being held up as workers take extra precautions to avoid contracting the Coronavirus infection and Customs agencies are on high alert while different screening and testing procedures at ports of entries are also adding to the delays.
