Export performance of non-RMG in first quarter better

Non-readymade garment (non-RMG) goods and products, dominated the county's export sector, in terms of growth, during the first quarter of the current fiscal over that of the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

The clothing sector, which has been reigning the export sector for more than two decades, grew by 21.2 per cent during the first quarter of the current fiscal while non-RMG sectors -- jute and leather included -- grew by 27.6 per cent, according to official data released by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).

The official data also showed the growth of knit sub-sector at 18.3 per cent and that of woven at 24.8 per cent in the first quarter.

On the other hand, export of raw jute grew by 18.7 per cent and that of leather by 20 per cent. The export of other non-RMG goods also registered a double-digit growth.

Garment manufacturers said export fall in the major markets is the main reason behind the gloomy situation of the RMG.

Anwar Alam Chowdhury Parvez, managing director of Evince Group, told the FE that the RMG exports had fallen nearly 1.0 per cent during the first quarter in the country's second largest apparel market -- the United States of America.

"RMG export particularly in September was very bad in the USA," he added.

"We're getting poor buy-orders from many countries belonging to the EU economic bloc as well," Mr Anwar, also a former chief of BGMEA, said.

Selim Osman, BKMEA president, said Bangladesh's knit export has been falling due to rise in the prices of yarn.

"Prices of our finished products have increased due to rise in the prices of yarn leading to fall in demands in the overseas market," he added.

Mr Anwar said imposition of countervailing duty by Turkey is also an important reason behind comparatively poor performance by the RMG sector.

Turkey, the fourth largest export destination of Bangladesh, has imposed 17 per cent countervailing duty on imports from the LDCs (least developed countries).

Industry people of non-RMG sector said many buyers now are opting for cheaper items following debt crisis in the 27-member European bloc.

They also said demand for environment-friendly goods is also on the rise across the globe.

Kamran Uddin, president of Bangladesh Jute Goods Association, said the demand for jute and jute goods has risen in recent years following increasing awareness about the usage of environment-friendly goods.

He said the prices of both raw jute and jute products recorded sharp rise during the past few years.

Saiful Islam, managing director of a leading leather goods exporting company, said Bangladesh's products still remained competitive in the global market. "We're competitive and our quality is better, for this we're doing well."

He, however, said the demand for leather goods has now declined following economic crisis in the EU.

"The orders from Germany and France are good but from other countries of the EU remained comparatively slow," Mr Saiful added.

Source: thefinancialexpress-bd.com

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Sahara expected better highways before Eid

Ready, Hasina protect Govt agencies

Staff correspondent

The Government expects that to improve the crumbling highways connects the capital with the outskirts before Eid, home Minister Sahara Khatun said Wednesday.

At the end of a meeting she chaired, on the capital spirit amazing congestion Sahara said answering reporters that they would expect that the repair work of the Government, would improve the conditions before the Festival.

Officials said that the meeting reviewed also the law and order in the capital.

Asked whether the Ministry had no information about possible threats to the life of the Prime Minister, Secretary of State for home Shamsul Haque, said that it nothing new.

He said: "there were many attempts, including August 21 grenade attacks, to kill."

Judgment of the Awami League accused a section of the media try to create the ground for unidentified quarters, he said, still conspiracies to kill the Party President and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina were hatch General Secretary Syed Ashraful Islam on Monday.

If statement was drawn their attention to Syed Ashraf, Sahara, that law enforcement agencies were prepared against all possible attempts to protect Sheikh Hasina said.

With the oath, way, Shara, said only one week the condition of dilapidated highways connects with the suburbs would be better and the people would find no difficulty capital going to celebrate the Festival.

The work to repair the dilapidated streets takes place and the condition of highways would be better before Eid-ul-Fitr,' said the Sahara.

Movement of vehicles between the capital and several suburbs came practically to a standstill due to the dilapidated state of connecting main roads and motorways for lack of repair and maintenance of the Government.

Officials said that the session also security preparations for the visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on September 6-7, and also for the oath, expected to be celebrated are checked at the 31 August or September 1.

Sahara said: 'We had several meetings with the competent authorities on the security during Indian Prime Minister's visit to Dhaka.'

SAhe said, "The law enforcement authorities are ready to ensure his safety."

You said that adequate security measures would be to manage, that people celebrate the order of oath, in the countryside around 50 lakh the capital would leave.

Sahara said also that were, been additional security already set to stations and start Terminal, which would be under pressure homebound passengers during the Festival due to the poor state, where the highways are located.

The meeting took the Minister of State for home Shamsul Haque and higher officials of law enforcement.

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| Source: newagebd.com