Sammilito Parishad vows to help achieve $100b exports by 2030

Sammilito Parishad, a panel contesting in the biennial election of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), yesterday committed to working towards achieving the export target of garments at $100 billion by 2030 by improving the energy supply and developing small and medium enterprises.

Abul Kalam, a leader of Sammilito Parishad, read out the panel's electoral pledges at an event organised by the panel at InterContinental Dhaka to introduce its members.

A total of 35 directors are contesting from this panel. Of them, nine are from Chattogram.

The BGMEA election for an executive committee for 2025-27 is scheduled to be held through polling centres at the trade body's offices in both Dhaka and Chattogram on May 31.

Kalam also pledged to ensure the development of mid-level management officials and adopt digital transformations for better sustainability of the sector, which is the lifeblood of the country's economy.

He also committed to negotiating with the government to gain access to green financing and banking support and to establish a green fund desk at the BGMEA.

Market and product diversification and launching an alternative incentive benefit policy for post-LDC competitiveness are some of its other pledges.

Kalam promised to negotiate with the government for trade facilitation through reforms of the National Board of Revenue, greater access to bonded warehouse facilities, and simplification of VAT and regulatory processes.

He also committed to enhancing export competitiveness and establishing a policy intelligence cell and a digital transformation centre at the BGMEA. He also gave assurances of launching a social compliance enhancement programme towards a unified code of conduct.

Further, he pledged to implement transformations with business value such as circularity, renewable energy, decarbonisation, and launching "Made in Bangladesh" -- a premium theme that aims to reposition Bangladesh in the global market.

He also assured strengthening trade diplomacy and working for responsible exit policies for businesses.

Faruque Hassan, chief election coordinator of Sammilito Parishad, said an export policy needs to be formulated soon.

Reduction of the corporate tax to 12 percent for non-green garment factories and 10 percent for green garment factories had earlier helped the sector thrive, he said.

He advocated for green funds and deferment of the least developed country (LDC) status graduation by a few more years.

The LDC grace period needs to be extended by the European Union for at least six years rather than the existing three years, he said.

The UK, Australia, and Canada have already committed to continuing the LDC trade benefits for Bangladesh even after the graduation in November 2026.

Bangladesh is the global leader in green factories. The initiative of greening factories started in 2013 in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse. Now, Bangladesh has 243 green garment factories, of which 66 are top-rated.

Abdullah Hil Rakib, managing director of Team Group and a candidate from the Sammilito Parishad, said the cost of power, gas, and manpower were the most important issues for Bangladesh's garment sector.

Bangladesh needs investment in power to ensure return on investment as industrial units need a constant power supply, he said.

"We are feeling threatened that the US may finally fix a high tariff," he added, referring to Donald Trump's 'reciprocal tariff' regime.

Currently, of the garments exported from Bangladesh, around 16.9 percent are made of man-made fibres. In China, it is 42 percent, while in Vietnam it is 46 percent, he said.

Globally it is 76 percent, as the demand for cotton-made garments is falling, he said.

Former BGMEA president Quazi Moniruzzaman, who is also contesting from the panel, demanded that the Chattogram port be run 24/7 to enhance exports and imports ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.