Dear esteemed US & Bangladesh business community and organiser of ‘New York International Trade Fair & Chamber Expo 2024’, greater NY Chamber of Commerce & Muktadhara New York, Greetings & good morning to you all from BKMEA & BGMEA specially from the Apparel industry of Bangladesh. 3rd largest in US & 2nd largest exporter in the world market.
It is my privilege to stand before you to say few words at today’s event. I hope you are feeling as enthusiastic as I am.
As a businessman, an apparel sector leader, and most importantly a Bangladeshi, I stand for Bangladesh, and you stand for Bangladesh. Together, we are working to rebuild a new Bangladesh, which we have got recently through a remarkable revolution of student & peoples from all levels.
Dear business community,
We realized that Bangladesh is going through an economic revolution, particularly economic growth, but at this point, our economy is going through a critical juncture. A new interim government under the dynamic leadership of the Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus is trying to rebuild the country. In this situation we politely request the US business community, honourable congressman and USA government, to please stand beside us so that we can build a new Bangladesh by injecting right policy and initiatives into our developmental framework just to get out of fragile economic landscape. It is true that Your immediate support is crucial to preventing the economic slowdown of the country.
in this situation we urge the U.S. government to restore the GSP scheme including specially with Apparel category. Or to give duty free access to US market of our apparel export under any other preferential agreement, Let say by using US cotton to finished products , to be exported to the US market.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh has made noteworthy progress in safety and worker rights and is considered a role model in ensuring social compliance & safety standards in the apparel manufacturing world. In our Apparel industry we are maintaining world highest standards in safety concern of structural, electrical & fire safety following NFPA standard. We have world’s highest number of USGBC Certified green & Platinum category factories (227). So, restoring GSP would boost Bangladesh’s economy and build the country’s image while supporting economic growth.
You already know that Bangladeshi apparel products are not getting the right price in some cases. some buyers & customers are doing unethical business practices, say taking the goods using fake documents without paying money, asking discount after taking the goods. As a result entrepreneurs have to sell products at discounted prices. These are also happening in the US market. This is one of the stumbling blocks for lowering our export in the US market. Therefore, in this connection I would like to request the Bangladeshi business community and the business community leaders of USA, say greater New York Chamber of Commerce & others trade body leaders to cooperate with us to ensure that our apparel products get the right prices and get back the unrealised export proceeds & in this connection, the person or the company at fault be made black listed through our concerted efforts.
As Bangladesh embarks on a transformative journey following the revolution of students, and people from all levels, we believe it is echoing the ideals of the French Revolution. Now, we stand at a critical juncture. The success of this revolution, marked by equity, democracy, and economic prosperity, is now resting upon the collective efforts of Bangladeshis worldwide. It is in our hands to shape a Bangladesh that embodies these ideals. Let us rise to this challenge and take responsibility for building our nation’s future! Thank you for your patience and attention. I appreciate. Thank you so much!
