A delegation from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), led by its acting president Khandoker Rafiqul Islam on Monday met with the newly appointed Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Md Abdur Rahman Khan, at the NBR office in Dhaka.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted various problems and challenges faced by garment entrepreneurs concerning customs and bond issues, said a BGMEA press release.
They sought the NBR’s assistance in addressing these issues to facilitate smoother operations within the garment industry.
The BGMEA delegation included vice-presidents Arshad Jamal Dipu, Abdullah Hil Rakib, directors Asif Ashraf, Md Imranur Rahman, Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Ashikur Rahman, Rajiv Chowdhury, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, and Md Nurul Islam.
Executive President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Mohammad Hatem was also present.
The delegation emphasized the need for simplifying and expediting customs-related services, particularly for the swift clearance of imported raw materials, machinery, and equipment.
They pointed out that current customs processes significantly impact export-import activities by increasing production costs and causing unnecessary delays in business operations.
In light of the global economic recession, declining global demand for apparel products and rising production costs, the BGMEA leaders stressed the urgency of making customs processes more efficient to maintain the industry’s competitiveness.
They requested the NBR chairman to take immediate action to address these challenges and recommended the formation of a task force involving customs houses and bond commissionerates to streamline customs and bond-related services in the apparel industry.
The NBR chairman acknowledged the significant contribution of the garment industry to Bangladesh’s socio-economic development and assured the delegation of the NBR’s full support for the industry’s sustainable growth.
He stated that he had already instructed the relevant authorities to expedite and simplify customs services to foster a conducive business environment, which, in turn, would boost trade, investment, and employment.
The NBR chairman also promised to seriously consider the BGMEA delegation’s recommendations.