Faruque Hassan, president of BGMEA, an association of ready-made garment industry owners, has requested the government to adjust the price of diesel in the country’s market according to the reduced prices in the global market. He said that as a result of an increase in diesel price, inflation will increase and prices of goods will also increase.
Faruque Hassan recently visited the United Kingdom, Belgium and Scotland as the president of BGMEA. In response to a reporter’s question at a press conference held at a hotel in Gulshan on 20 November, the BGMEA president called for a price adjustment of diesel.
In a written statement, the BGMEA president said diesel prices have been increased by 23%. Proportionately, the cost will increase by 4-5% due to an increase in the cost of transportation of goods, power generation through generators, ancillary raw materials and services.
On the other hand, new COVID-19 infections are on the rise in various countries of the European Union (EU). Farooq Hasan said that this is creating new concerns in the export of readymade garments. “Infections are on the rise in Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Sweden, and France. This is definitely a cause of concern for us.”
He added that “Retail sales in Europe have not yet returned to normal. Our retail sales there are 15% less than before the pandemic started. If COVID-19 disrupts daily life in Europe again, it will hamper our efforts for the garment industry.”
BGMEA’s first vice president Syed Nazrul Islam, SM Mannan, Shahidullah Azim, Miran Ali, Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, Director Abdullah Hill Rakib, Managing Director of Denim Expert Limited Mostafiz Uddin and others were present at the press conference.
