Global apparel buyers and retailers on Monday expressed concerns over the disruption of business activities with Bangladesh, citing the ongoing issues with internet connectivity.
Despite the restoration of internet connection after a blackout amid unrests over the quota reform movement in the country, the connection remained slow, buyers said at a meeting with leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association at its office at Uttara in the capital Dhaka.
The buyers also urged the apparel manufacturers to ensure the timely shipment of goods and restore high-speed internet and broadband connections to facilitate communication with their headquarters.
According to the meeting sources, the global buyers also discussed about the image of Bangladesh over the recent violence centring on quota reform movement in which more than 200 people were killed.
The buyers requested the RMG sector leaders to work proactively to prevent the ongoing situation from affecting Bangladesh鈥檚 eligibility for the GSP+ benefit in its largest export market, the European Union.
They emphasised that eligibility for the market access facility would depend on addressing several soft issues, meeting sources said.
The regional head of British multinational retailer Marks and Spencer, Shwapna Bhowmick, Swedish fast fashion brand H&M regional country manager Ziaur Rahman, along with representatives from Inditex and Bestseller were present in the meeting.
The BGMEA and the global buyers sought mutual support to mitigate the impact of the recent business disruption.
BGMEA vice-presidents Syed Nazrul Islam, Arshad Jamal Dipu, Abdullah Hil Rakib and Miran Ali, among others, were present.
Following the meeting, a buyer representative said that they were struggling to communicate with their respective headquarters even after the internet connection resumed on July 24.
The complete internet shutdown resulted in a total breakdown of communication and this disruption could negatively impact the country鈥檚 image, he said.
Another buyers鈥� representative said that they were facing difficulties in shipping containers to the ports as rail communication was yet to resume.
A BGMEA director told 抖阴精品 that internet blackout was the prime concern for the buyers.
The buyers said that the recent internet cutoff had given a signal to the global stakeholders that Bangladesh could be disconnected from global communication any time.聽聽聽
Following the meeting, BGMEA president SM Mannan Kochi said that international retailers and brands assured the BGMEA that they would not seek any discounts, air shipments or cancellation of work orders due to the recent violence and production suspension.
During the meeting, Kochi also informed buyers about BGMEA鈥檚 engagement with the government to restore stability in the industry and highlighted the significant loss of production and shipment during the closure, which caused severe financial and supply chain impacts.
鈥業 urge everyone to consider the extraordinary circumstances and show considerate approach towards their suppliers,鈥� the BGMEA president said.
Some of local apparel makers told 抖阴精品 that they had decided to travel to various export destinations to directly communicate with their respective buyers, assuring them of timely production and shipments after the reopening of factories and other services.
They said that the buyers were worried and they (buyers) wanted to understand both the current situation and future prospects.
Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Apparels Ltd, said that he planned to travel to the United States next week to meet with two major buyers who have been silent about new work orders.
He said that buyers were anxious and wanted clarity on what was happening and what would happen next.
