Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, has urged the Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi to address current challenges by simplifying export procedures for the RMG sector. Hassan said, OMICRON variant is creating new challenges for the RMG sector which is slowing recovering from the massive impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The government needs to safeguard the industry in these difficult times as it is the mainstay of Bangladesh’s economy, he adds, The government’s support helped the apparel sector survive the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and turn around, he adds. Sector leaders demanded supports from the government to address the possible challenges due to the spread of Omicron in major western markets. They also sought commerce minister's intervention saying they are being harassed by NBR.