‘Allow all factories to reopen’

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has called upon the government to allow them to reopen all types of factories for the sake of investment, employment and smooth supply chain.

FBCCI President Md Jasim Uddin made the call yesterday, a day after the government decided to keep all export-oriented factories and industries open from today amid the strict nationwide lockdown.

He also urged the government to reopen all types of banks in industrial areas from today, maintaining the health guidelines.

Realizing the need for banking services during the operation of industry and mills, all types of banks should be opened and operated five days a week in compliance with the health rules, Jasim said in a press release.

Earlier on Thursday, the country's apex trade body held a meeting with Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam where they urged the government to allow them to reopen all factories, including export-oriented industries, citing that export might suffer severely for the continued restriction.

The leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association were also present at the meeting.

Following their demand, the government on Friday decided to reopen only export-oriented industries during the lockdown.

According to a gazette notification from the Cabinet Division, all export-oriented factories and industries will remain out of the purview of the restriction from 6:00am on August 1.

The FBCCI president also thanked the government for allowing them to reopen export-oriented industries.