At a time when Bangladesh’s apparel exports have taken a hit and many small and medium scale enterprises are struggling to survive due to a host of reasons, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) recently demanded exemption from repayment of at least Taka 649 crore in principal amount of loans and interests for 133 ‘sick’ readymade garment factories in the country.
The President of BGMEA, Dr. Rubana Huq, in a meeting with the Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal also demanded payout of 1 per cent special cash incentive without imposing any condition.
Earlier, Rubana placed before the Finance Minister a charter of demand that included waiver from repayment of loans for ‘sick’ industries and rescheduling facility for small and medium factories.
The BGMEA President in her written proposals requested Mustafa Kamal to allow facility to the factories to cancel or renew their licences with the waiver of all outstanding taxes.