The new chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR). Abdur Rahman Khan was met by a delegation of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association led by Acting President of BGMEA Khandaker Rafiqul Islam.
BGMEA leaders called on the NBR chairman to make customs bond-related services faster and easier in the meeting held at the National Board of Revenue office in Dhaka on 19 August 2024 Monday. Businessmen demanded simplification of business processes, especially with quick release of imported raw materials, machinery and equipment.
BGMEA representatives said customs-related processes have a considerable impact on the import-export activities of the garment industry. Addressing these challenges increases the production cost of the industry, and also creates unnecessary delays in the business processes.
They also said that there is a slowdown in the global economy and despite the decrease in global demand and cost of apparel products, product prices are falling, on the contrary, the cost of production in the industry is increasing. In such a context, it is essential to simplify, expedite and hassle-free customs processes to maintain the competitiveness of the industry. NBR Chairman is requested to take immediate action in this regard. Besides, the BGMEA representatives also proposed to form a task force with customs houses and bond commissionerates to make customs related services faster and easier.
While assuring the BGMEA delegation, the NBR Chairman said that instructions have already been given to the concerned to make customs-related services faster and easier to ensure a favorable business environment.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) delegation included vice-presidents Arshad Jamal (Dipu) and Abdullah Hill Rakib, director Asif Ashraf, Md. Imranur Rahman, Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Ashiqur Rahman (Tuhin), Md. Mohiuddin Rubel, Rajiv Chowdhury and Md. Nurul Islam. Besides, the executive president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Mohammad Hatem was with the delegation.
