The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called upon the Bangladesh Inland Container Depots Association (Bicda) to rescind its recent decision to hike charges for handling export containers. In a circular issued to members on 15th July, Bicda announced increases ranging from 30 to 80% in various charges related to export and empty container handling.
Bicda cited rising operational costs, currency devaluation, and inflationary pressures as the primary reasons for the proposed fee hikes. However, in a letter dated July 21, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan expressed strong opposition to the decision, stating that it was inappropriate to increase charges amid ongoing industry challenges.
Khan highlighted that the country’s readymade garment sector is currently grappling with numerous difficulties both domestically and internationally, including the Middle East crisis, US reciprocal tariffs, labor unrest, energy shortages, high interest rates, and escalating raw material and transportation costs. These factors have strained manufacturers’ operations, making cost management more critical than ever.
The BGMEA leader emphasized that the proposed increases, some up to 80-100% over previous rates and including new charges, were implemented without prior consultation with stakeholders, which contradicts established norms. He urged Bicda to withdraw the circular and revert to previous rates, urging consideration of the industry’s current fragile state to preserve competitiveness.
The dispute underscores the ongoing tension between industry stakeholders and logistics providers amid an environment of economic uncertainty and rising operational expenses.
