Regarding the meeting between the Honorable Chief Adviser and BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, certain statements by the Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Faiz Taiyeb Ahmed, and Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Mozumder were published today (29 October) in the media and on social media, which has drawn the attention of BGMEA.

BGMEA believes that both the Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary presented the matter in a misleading manner, which is regrettable and unintended. Their statements have indirectly undermined the country’s leading export sector—the ready-made garment (RMG) industry. BGMEA strongly objects to such remarks.

BGMEA’s clarification is as follows:

1. Request for a Private Meeting: BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, in response to questions at BGMEA’s press conference held yesterday (28 October), stated that over the past four months, a private meeting had been requested with the Honorable Chief Adviser Dr. Muhammad Yunus to directly discuss policy formulation for the RMG sector, maintaining competitiveness, and addressing ongoing crises. However, the requested meeting has not yet taken place.

2. Nature of the Meeting Mentioned by Officials: The meeting referred to by the Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary was a general review meeting on LDC graduation, attended by representatives from various ministries, agencies, and stakeholders. It was not a formal bilateral meeting specifically scheduled for BGMEA or the RMG industry. Attending a general meeting and having a private audience with industry representatives are two entirely different matters.

3. BGMEA President’s Expression of Concern: At the press conference, the BGMEA President expressed his deep concern and frustration, stating:

“For the past four months, we have been requesting a meeting with the Chief Adviser, yet we have not been granted one. Meanwhile, the Vice President of SpaceX, a company intending to invest $100 million, was given a meeting. However, representatives of the $40 billion RMG sector have not been afforded the same opportunity.”

BGMEA President voiced his concerns in the interest of the country’s largest export sector and industry. However, the Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary presented these remarks out of context, which is misleading and detrimental to the sector’s image.

BGMEA hopes that in the future, the Special Assistant and Deputy Press Secretary will maintain professionalism and responsibility when commenting on the country’s largest export sector.

BGMEA reiterates its expectation that a formal meeting with the Honorable Chief Adviser will be arranged promptly to discuss the current challenges, opportunities, and policy matters of the country’s export sector.