MM Rahmatullah: Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Amir and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Dr. Shafiqur Rahman has assured leaders of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) that their problems will be raised in the Jatiya Sangsad.

Dr. Shafiqur Rahman exchanged views with BTMA leaders on Tuesday noon at the official residence of the Leader of the Opposition at 29 Minto Road in the capital.

The meeting discussed incentives for the textile sector, gas and electricity supply, post-LDC graduation challenges, taxes and duties, and various policy complexities. Jamaat Secretary General and former MP Mia Golam Parwar briefed journalists after the meeting.

Quoting the Jamaat Amir, Mia Golam Parwar said, Dr. Shafiqur Rahman stated that opposing everything the government does is not their political culture as an opposition. "We want to play the role of a constructive opposition. We will cooperate in the government`s initiatives that are in the public interest and for the welfare of the country. And for decisions that are against public interest, we will point out the government`s mistakes, criticize, and if necessary, build resistance and protest."

The Secretary General said BTMA leaders highlighted various problems and challenges in their sector. Their statements were heard attentively. Amir-e-Jamaat Dr. Shafiqur Rahman highlighted important aspects of the textile sector, especially ensuring necessary raw materials for export-oriented industries, preserving the capacity of domestic primary textile industry, increasing local value addition, protecting employment, saving and conserving foreign currency, protecting government revenue, and preventing misuse of bonded facilities and illegal imports.

The Leader of the Opposition said that through such an integrated and balanced policy, it is possible to sustainably strengthen Bangladesh`s primary textile industry and further consolidate the country`s export capacity and industrial base. He also said that in the interest of this important sector of the country`s economy, the issues will be raised in the National Parliament and discussed with the government as needed.

Mia Golam Parwar said, the industrial and manufacturing sector is one of the main driving forces of Bangladesh`s economy. The textile sector has a close relationship with the readymade garment industry. Therefore, a coordinated initiative of the government, opposition and stakeholders is needed to solve the logical problems of this sector.

At the press briefing, BTMA Vice President Mr. Shafiqul Islam Sarker said, currently there is an investment of about 32 billion US dollars in this sector and as a backward linkage of Bangladesh`s garment industry, the textile sector is playing a very important role. They have been discussing these problems with the government for a long time. They have held several meetings with the Hon`ble Prime Minister and concerned quarters of the government and some problems have already been resolved. Discussions are ongoing on other issues.

He said on Tuesday`s meeting particularly discussed incentives, gas and electricity supply, post-LDC graduation challenges, tax increase and various policy complications. Although there has been some improvement in gas and electricity supply, some factories are still facing problems. They have also highlighted the need for quick solutions to these problems. Besides, discussions with the government are ongoing on energy bond and yarn misuse and related issues.

Responding to a question about a departure from the long-standing tradition of the Leader of the Opposition being the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the BATEXPO fair on 18 November, Mia Golam Parwar said there is a conventional practice that the Prime Minister is the chief guest at the opening ceremony and the Leader of the Opposition at the closing ceremony of such important industrial and commercial fairs.

He said this is not just a formality; it is also related to democratic political culture and mutual respect of state institutions. Noting that some exceptions are being seen this time, he said the matter has been brought to the attention of the concerned authorities by Jamaat. However, the Leader of the Opposition Dr. Shafiqur Rahman himself did not demand or request to be the chief guest at any event.

No important sector of the country`s economy should be confined within narrow party politics, he said, adding that coordination between all sides of the state and businessmen and entrepreneurs is necessary.

BTMA leaders present included BTMA President and Managing Director of Amber Cotton Mills Limited Mr. Showkat Aziz Russell, Vice President and Managing Director of Purbani Yarn Dyeing Ltd. Mr. Shafiqul Islam Sarker, Director and Deputy Managing Director of Jalal Ahmed Spinning Mills Ltd. Mr. Md. Shahid Alam, former Vice President and Managing Director of Hossain Dyeing and Printing Mills Ltd. (Unit-2) Mr. Hossain Mehmud, Director and Managing Director of Saiham Cotton Mills Ltd. Engr. Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed, former Director and Managing Director of Mosharaf Composite Textile Mills Ltd. Mr. Md. Mosharaf Hossain, Secretary General Brig. Gen. Md. Zakir Hossain, NDC, PSC (Retd.), Joint Secretary General Muhammad Ziaur Rahman, Deputy Secretary General Mr. Ziaul Hasan Chowdhury, and PS to President Mr. Arif Raihan Robin.

From Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, Assistant Secretary General and Central Publicity and Media Secretary Advocate Ehsanul Mahbub Zubair, Central Executive Council Member Mobarak Hossain, Central Executive Council Member and Ameer of Dhaka City South Nurul Islam Bulbul MP, Central Executive Council Member and Ameer of Dhaka City North Md. Selim Uddin, and Managing Director of Maisha Group Mozammel Haque Bhuiyan were present.