Apparel exporters in the port city of Chittagong have had to face harassment by customs bond officials in the form of introduction of various new rules in the export process.
According to media reports, these charges have been levelled against the Chittagong Customs Bond Commissionerate officials by the apex garment makers’ body, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The reports, which cited BGMEA sources, further added that on 18 February 2021, the then BGMEA first Vice-President Mohammad Abdus Salam issued a letter to the bond commissioner underlining that the apparel exporters were being harassed in export procedures including the transfer of goods (from factory), approval of additional warehouses and audit activities even as the newly elected first Vice-President of the trade body, Syed Nazrul Islam, on his part has, reportedly, maintained that even though the BGMEA has informed the bond commissioner about this in writing, no solution was forthcoming yet before going on add the apparel manufacturers were struggling to keep business afloat for the last year amidst the coronavirus crisis, which as per the current first VP of BGMEA, has been exacerbated by the unwarranted harassment.
Syed Nazrul Islam, reportedly, also underlined if this continues, exports will be severely hampered, and national economy will be harmed.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
