Letters to the editor
A separate ministry for the RMG sector
Sir,
Presently, the problems of the export-oriented readymade garments (RMG) sector are looked into and responded by the Ministry of Industries. The RMG industries are but only a part of the concern of this ministry which has to give its attention to so many industrial sectors of the country. Understandably, therefore, the pivotal RMG sector that earns nearly 75 per cent of the countrys foreign currency from export and is the single biggest employer of industrial workers, cannot get the total and very dedicated attention of this ministry that it duly deserves.
The establishment of such a new ministry would be very consistent with the very pressing need to hedge this very important economic sector of the country from pitfalls in the short, medium and long terms. For instance, the lobbying for the duty free access of RMG products in the US market is now being done mainly by BGMEA with the governments Ministry of Foreign affairs only playing a secondary role to this end. However, one correctly anticipates that government to government contacts or lobbying are also significantly required to achieve a positive outcome to these efforts. If a separate ministry for the RMG sector existed, it could apply itself singularly and intensely to the lobbying exercise. A separate ministry created for the RMG sector is also needed to face up to the various compliance related pressures that foreign quarters are now piling on our government and RMG industries.
Planned violence on the basis of false rumours are noted against the garments industries. Fire incidents which look like acts of sabotage are also very worryingly noted. Thus, the physically threatened garments industries also need focused attention from a ministry created to look after directly their security related needs.
Junaid Douza, New Eskaton, Dhaka
