The RMG buyers are back

Upset over deadly factory fires, collapsing buildings, raging worker unrest over wages, and relentless violence by the opposition, many buyers had turned their backs on the country's readymade garment industry.

But now they have resumed negotiating orders for the year with normalcy in air, say industry insiders.

Many of the industry insiders observe that, several of the government's export-friendly initiatives helping to attract new orders.

“There is a positive attitude among the buyers with the new government taking charge,” BGMEA President Atiqul Islam told.

He said they were getting new enquiries and several new buyers were already here for talks.

“Besides maintaining this environment, the government has to take the initiatives to provide uninterrupted gas and power, and improve infrastructure," he said.

The government, International Labour Organization and the buyers have been working together to improve garment factory working conditions .

Exporters' Association of Bangladesh President Abdus Salam Murshedy told, “We are feeling confident again. The fear of losing market has gone. We hope all quarters will try to preserve the stable environment."

The government had already extended several facilities to encourage exports.

The facilities are:
- Five percent cash assistance in export through TT,
-Reduction of interest rate of Export Development Fund,
-Rescheduling of default loans without any down payment or based on the relationship between the bank and the client and
-Advance payment in importing industrial goods.