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DHAKA, Dec 6, 2024 (BSS)- Chief Advisor’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi welcomed representatives of global brands and buyers of readymade garments for a dialogue at his office here on Thursday.

Underscoring the importance of this industry, Siddiqi expressed gratitude for the constructive engagement and contribution of the buying community through a period of challenges and changes, said a press release of the chief adviser's press wing today.

He expressed cautious optimism in metrics such as export volumes, remittances and cargo handling that has defied expectations to show double-digit percentage growth versus the previous year. 

Other factors such as law and order, labour relations and liquidity appear to be improving but continue to require close monitoring, Siddiqi said.

He said, structural constraints such as port infrastructure, energy infrastructure or gaps in skills will take longer to resolve but for which, reforms in our decision-making processes should enable us to move faster than before.
     
The buyers’ representatives pointed out that this is the first time that they have had an opportunity to engage directly in this manner with government at a ministerial level. 

They brought up weak brand protection, restrictive credit facilities for imports, and lack of a dedicated green energy plan for this sector as additional issues for the government to focus on.

The press release of the press wing said, the buyers expressed full support to the government’s agenda around labour standards and disagreed with the suggestion that their pricing policies could stand in the way of better wages. 

It was also mentioned that global brands with their own observations on the ground are well-placed to help narrate and project the true story of Bangladesh, as it is evolving right now, to the international audience.

The Special Envoy thanked them for their support, especially on the backdrop of disinformation in certain areas.

Among others who were present in the meeting were Mr. Ziaur Rahman of H&M and Javier Santonja of Inditex, the press release said.