The country’s garment industry’s business owners have called for a prompt resolution to the problems pertaining to bonds and customs.
A delegation of BGMEA and BKMEA led by Acting President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, made this demand in a meeting with the new chairman of National Board of Revenue (NBR) Md. Abdur Rahman Khan. Executive President of BKMEA Mohammad Hatem was also present with the delegation.
Others in the BGMEA delegation included Vice President Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Vice President Abdullah Hill Rakib, Director Asif Ashraf, Director Md. Imranur Rahman, Director Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Director Ashiqur Rahman (Tuhin), Director Rajiv Chowdhury, Director Md. Mohiuddin Rubel and Director Md. Nurul Islam.
During the conversation, the BGMEA delegation urged the National Board of Revenue to expedite and simplify customs-related services, particularly business procedures such as the prompt clearance of imported machinery, equipment, and raw materials, in order to ensure the seamless and uninterrupted operation of the garment industry as a whole.
They said that the garment industry’s import-export operations are significantly impacted by customs-related procedures, and that resolving these issues raises industry production costs and unnecessarily slows business procedures.
They went on to say that to keep the industry competitive in the face of the global economic downturn, falling demand and spending for apparel products, falling commodity prices, and rising production costs, it is imperative to streamline, expedite, and de-harass customs procedures.
The BGMEA delegation also recommended the formation of a task force with Customs Houses and Bond Commissioners to address the prevailing issues related to customs and bonds in the apparel industry, particularly to make customs-related services faster and easier.
The National Board of Revenue will fully assist the apparel sector for sustainable growth, the NBR Chairman informed the BGMEA delegation, citing the industry’s noteworthy contribution to Bangladesh’s socioeconomic development.
In order to guarantee a positive business environment, he claimed to have already instructed the relevant parties to expedite and simplify customs-related services. Increased commerce, investment, and job creation are all possible in an atmosphere that is conducive to business.
Additionally, he declared that the National Board of Revenue will give the BGMEA delegation’s ideas careful thought.
