Help complete RMG village in Munshiganj

Stressing the need for reducing dependence on the government, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged garment owners to help complete the work on Garment Village at Gazaria in Munshiganj for further development of the country's RMG industry.

"Our government has allocated a land for setting up the Garment Village at Gazaria... necessary work is underway to develop the village and it could be completed speedily if you take some initiatives and spend some money. But, you're not opening your wallets and try to save money and that's the problem," she said.

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The prime minister said this when the newly elected office bearers of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) met her at her office. BGMEA President Md Siddiqur Rahman led the delegation.

Hasina said all facilities from gas supply to communications were being ensured to establish the Garment Village. "There'll be no problem at the village if you start spending money and relocating your factories there."

"Businessmen will have to come forward to solve problems on their own," she said, stressing the importance of reducing dependence on the government.

Hasina also called upon the RMG factory owners to explore newer markets across the world to give a further boost to the country's export and thus strengthen the national economy.

Hasina said the government always extended its support to the RMG sector of the country for taking it forward foiling all national and international conspiracies.

"There were plots at national and international levels to impede garment export. But the plots were not successful as we took proper steps in this regard," she said.

On high bank interest rate, the prime minister urged private banks to take necessary measures to this end and said the nationalised banks are providing loans at a relatively lower rate of interest.

The prime minister stressed the need for ensuring welfare of the workers by the industrialists as they are contributing towards making country's economy stronger.

Pointing to a number of incidents happened in the garment sector, the prime minister said her government handled all those tragic accidents "very successfully" and extended all-out support to the victims.

Former BGMEA presidents Tipu Munshi, a lawmaker, and Atiqul Islam also spoke on the occasion.