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Moeen urges saving RMG sector from 'vested quarters’

Staff Correspondent
Chief of Army Staff General Moeen U Ahmed yesterday called upon all to help protect the country's largest export earning garment sector from being damaged and destroyed by vested quarters.
He said vested quarters tried to destroy the garment sector, but the government, army, owners of factories and workers foiled their bid.
ss"The army will continue its support for sustaining the growth of the country 's garment sector. Let us protect the garment industry from destruction by vested quarters," Moeen said at the closing ceremony of BATEXPO-2008 at the city's Sonargaon Hotel.
He asked the owners of readymade garment (RMG) factories to make the workers understand that
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they are also partners of the production units. "If the workers are aware of their partnership of the factories, they will not destroy those," said the army chief who was the chief guest at the function.
Moeen stressed united efforts to help the garment sector thrive, which fetched foreign currency worth $10.7 billion in fiscal 2007-08.
Terming the garment sector 'lifeline' of the national economy, Moeen also said tum around time of ships at Chittagong port shortened to 2.9 days where efficiency increased by more than 40 percent since the caretaker government took over. "We have helped save 30 percent cost in Chittagong port through enhancing efficiency," he said.
Suggesting that garment exporters should prepare to absorb the probable shock due to the global financial recession, Moeen said the government, workers, entrepreneurs and exporters have to work together to achieve RMG export target.
He called for turning the country's huge population into human resources so that it is no longer viewed as a curse.
The closing ceremony of BATEXPO (Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition) was also addressed by Stefan Frowein, head of Delegation of the European Commission, and US Ambassador James F Moriarty as special guests.
Frowein gave assurance of continued EU support to Bangladeshi RMG exporters even in a changed situation. "Any change in GSP (Generalised System of Preference) in EU will be development friendly," he said.
Moriarty said two factors helped thriving of Bangladeshi garment products. The factors are export of high quality products with cheaper prices, and Bangladeshi exporters' eagerness to take higher risks. He said 30 percent of Bangladesh's total garment items is exported to USA.
Later, Moeen distributed awards among some entrepreneurs and organisations for their outstanding contribution in their respective fields.
Those who received awards include Benajir Ahmed, Hafizur Rahman, Nazmul Hasan, Rafiz Alam Chowdhury, Syed Fariduddin Ahmed, Kutubuddin Ahmed, Tarique Rahman Milon, Deepak Adhikary ofIFC-SEDF and GTZ.
BGMEA President Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury chaired the closing ceremony. BGMEA vice-presidents were also present.
Meanwhile, a total of 82 stalls from home and abroad took part in the 19th BATEXPO to showcase their products.
BGMEA held some important seminars relating to RMG sector on the sidelines of the three-day BATEXPO.