Salim Rahman, the newly elected First Vice President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has issued a stern warning that any increase in tariffs at Chittagong Port could significantly harm the country’s export-driven industries, particularly the garment sector.
In a press statement, Rahman expressed deep concern over recent media reports suggesting a potential rise in service charges at the port. He emphasised that Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry has been grappling with numerous challenges since the post-COVID-19 period in 2020, including soaring energy prices due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a global economic slowdown, regional conflicts such as the Israel-Palestine and Israel-Iran wars, and increased tariffs imposed by the United States on multiple countries.
Rahman highlighted that domestic and international activities, along with labour unrest stemming from the July 2014 wage movement, have further complicated the industry’s situation. Despite these hurdles, he noted that garment entrepreneurs have made concerted efforts to maintain the sector’s competitiveness.
He warned that any hike in port tariffs amidst these difficulties would impose additional financial burdens on export-oriented manufacturing, making it even harder for the industry to survive. Rahman urged the government and related authorities to reconsider such a move, calling it a “suicidal decision” that could jeopardize national exports.
Finally, he appealed for cooperation among all stakeholders, including the Chattogram Port Authority, to safeguard the interests of the RMG sector, which he describes as the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy.bang
