BGMEA urges home boss to quell highway theft of RMG goods

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) called on Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan to take necessary measures to stop the theft of ready-made garment (RMG) export goods during transportation.

BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi) made the request during a meeting with the home minister at the latter's residence on Saturday night, reads a press release issued on Sunday.

BGMEA Vice President Md Nasir Uddin was also present at the meeting to discuss the present situation of the RMG industry, especially the security concern of apparel exporters over the stealing of goods on highways.

Stressing the need for preventing apparel theft, SM Mannan said the stealing incidents cause huge financial losses and also put exporters in an embarrassing situation, not to mention the tarnishing of the country's image when such cases are detected after shipments reach buyers.

The BGMEA leaders urged the home minister to direct the Highway Police to step up patrolling on highways to ensure safe movements of vehicles carrying RMG goods from factories to the Chattogram port.

They also called for making the process of filing cases of theft incidents easier for RMG exporters.

SM Mannan also requested the home minister to expedite the installation of CCTVs on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway, saying it would help in beefing up security on the roads, preventing stealing and nabbing thieves.

Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan assured the BGMEA leaders that the ministry is working to address these issues. 

The law enforcement agencies had already arrested some members of theft and robbery gangs involved in RMG goods theft and drives are underway to nab others, the minister said, adding that the law enforcement agencies have been directed to step up vigilance on the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.