State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam
has urged European nations to set positive agenda for EU-Bangladesh
trade relations beyond relentless misinformation campaign by certain
quarters.
“Bangladesh
and EU (European Union) must continue to work together on labor reforms
based on a roadmap, on promoting safety, efficiency and sustainability
in the RMG industry, and on developing a compact on fair prices”, he
said. The State Minister made the remarks while addressing a
multi-stakeholder event titled “EU-Bangladesh Apparel Trade: A Time for a
Reality Check” held at the European Parliament in Brussels on
Wednesday, a press release said on Thursday.
Member
of the European Parliament (MEP) from the European People’s Party,
Tomas Zdechovsky, hosted the event in collaboration with the Embassy of
Bangladesh in Brussels.
Zdechovsky
took the initiative to create a platform for discussions on the current
status of EU-Bangladesh apparel trade in his capacity as a member of
the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee (INTA) as well
as Delegation for Relations with the counties of South Asia (DSAS).
Shahriar highlighted the RMG industry’s significant contribution to
Bangladesh’s economy and society, including turning its female workforce
into real agents of change, reports BSS. “The sea change in the RMG
industry in Bangladesh in the last seven years particularly has been the
result of the collective efforts by many dedicated actors,” he said.
He
underscored the RMG industry’s remarkable resilience and strength in
course of nearly four decades despite many challenges from both within
and outside.
Maximilian Krah, MEP from the Identity and Democracy Group and INTA Rapporteur for South Asia lauded Bangladesh’s recent economic growth performance and the apparel sector’s contribution to it. During the panel discussions, President of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Dr. Rubana Huq shared various steps taken by BGMEA to promote well-being, financial inclusion and family support for the RMG workers.
BGMEA chief said the RMG industry in Bangladesh is open for partnership and has nothing to hide as far as workers’ safety and remediation measures are concerned. Professor Michael H. Posner from the Stern School of Business, New York University stressed the need for examining the role of international business instead of creating ‘exaggerated pressure’ on the factories in source countries in a ‘policing mode’ of monitoring. Dan Rees from Better Work Programme at the ILO headquarters acknowledged the progress made in Bangladesh’s RMG industry.
Bangladesh’s Ambassador in Brussels, Mohammed Shahdat Hossain and former BGMEA President and member of the Advisory Committee of Commerce ministry Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, among others, spoke on the occasion. Prior to the meeting, Shahriar held separate bilateral meetings with Zdechovksy MEP and Milan Zver MEP where they discussed the recent political, economic and social developments in Bangladesh.
Source – The Asianage.
