BGMEA has sought support of Bangladesh Bank for the RMG industry in its struggle to overcome the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and retaining its competitiveness in the global market.

A delegation of BGMEA led by its President Faruque Hassan made the call during a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir at BB office on June 6.

The BGMEA delegation included Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi), Vice President Md. Shahidullah Azim, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Rakibul Alam Chowdhury and Directors.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the RMG industry was going through a tough time due to an unprecedented crisis caused by the Covide pandemic.

He expressed thanks to the Bangladesh Bank for coming forward with policy support for the garment industry when it fell into deep trouble following the outbreak of the pandemic -- at a time when the sector needed it most.

The pandemic is not over yet and the RMG sector is still trying hard to overcome the massive impacts, he said.

Given the situation, the support of Bangladesh Bank in terms of simplification and relaxation of financial policies pertaining to the RMG industry would help the sector to address the challenges and turn around, he added.

Earlier, Bangladesh Bank extended loan limit of garment and textile factories from the export development fund (EDF) to $30 million from $25 million. Faruque Hassan urged the Bangladesh Bank to extend the time limit for the enhanced EDF by six months.

He requested the BB to extend the payback period of the loans under the Covid response stimulus package from two years to five years as the sector is going through a rough patch.

He also urged the central bank to write off all debts, interest, and cost of fund charges for the 133 sick RMG factories, taking them into special consideration.

Deputy Governors of Bangladesh Bank Ahmed Jamal and Kazi Sayedur Rahman were also present at the meeting.