City Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin was recently called upon by the newly-elected office-bearers and leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), headed by the newly-elected first Vice-President Moinuddin Ahmed Minto, Chittagong Chapter.

Amongst the leaders were also others—Syed Md Tanveer, Selim Rahman, former first Vice-President Shahabuddin Ahmed, former Director Helaluddin Chowdhury, newly elected Vice-President Md Ferdous, Director Kazi Mahbub, Md Saifullah, Amjad Hossain Chowdhury, former Director SM Sajedul Islam.

The present situation of the garment sector in Chitagong was apprised by Minto and the Vice-President observed that 40 per cent garment exports were conducted from Chittagong since the inception of the garment industries in the country. However, now, he said, it has declined to only 9 per cent of the total exports.

Minto further stated that there was no alternative for garment villages to overcome this situation. To sustain the old reputation of RMG exports from Chittagong, leaders of BGMEA sought cooperation to establish a garments village. They want this village to be situated at the unused city corporation's land measuring 12 acres at Kalurghat area. Moreover, small garment villages were also proposed by the BGMEA at different Khas lands at the Sagarika area. Minto heard the requests and gave his assurance of his best efforts to establish garment villages in the port city.

www.bgmea.com.bd