The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade body representing the business community, is urging the Government to enhance support for backward linkage industries, particularly related to the RMG sectors, leather, and agriculture.
During the inaugural meeting of the Standing Committee on Backward Linkage Industry, which took place on Tuesday at FBCCI’s Motijheel office, the businesspeople made these remarks.
Chairman of this committee and director of Shenzhen Metal Industries Ltd., Omar Faruk presided over the meeting and the senior vice president of FBCCI Md. Amin Helali was present as the chief guest.
“The backward linkage industry of the country is still suffering from various problems due to the lack of adequate facilities, despite contributing to the foreign exchange earnings and the economic growth of the country, through export of various products starting from ready-made clothes to agriculture and leather,” said Amin Helali.
The absence of direct export opportunities is causing this industry to face several difficulties.
According to him, to get out of this predicament and meet the problems posed by the backward linkage industry, the industry’s entrepreneurs and businesspeople have looked to the Government and relevant stakeholders for assistance.
Helali stated, “We are now self-sufficient in terms of materials for various export products, including ready-made garments. Previously, 100 per cent of materials were imported for product production and export. Despite the COVID-19 epidemic disrupting imports, our exports continued due to the capabilities of domestic supply.”
He pushed for capturing the global packaging industry’s sizable market. Bangladesh boasts skilled craftsmen and entrepreneurs.
“Still we have to identify the reasons why we are not able to capture such a large market in the packaging sector in the global arena,” he pointed out.
The directors of the FBCCI and the chairman of different sectors’ standing committees, among others, were present.
