The country’s garment exporters have urged the Government to restore previous chart of railway fares for carrying containers as the sector has been passing through a critical condition due to global economic meltdown and limitations in doing business in the country. The Government had recently declared price hike on all sorts of railway services including its container carriers up to 110 per cent with effect from October 1.
Expressing his grave concern BGMEA President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin was critical of the Government’s sudden decision to increase freight charges, “Production cost of garment items have already increased significantly in the last one year due to inadequate supply of gas and increase in electricity charges, now if the Government again increases fare of railway container, then it will be suicidal for the country, especially at a time when the sector has been facing serious problems due to lower demand in the international market and price cut by the buyers,” he said. “If the Government does not reinstate previous chart of railway fares for carrying containers then the sector might fail to achieve its export target set for the current FY,” he added.
