The country's garment accessories and packaging makers on Sunday urged the government to introduce the trade licence at least for a five-year term instead of the existing one-year, to help them do business in easier way and save both money and time.
They also sought policy supports including those related to National Board of Revenue, customs and port facilities to increase the sector's export earnings in line with the apparel makers' target to earn US$100 billion by 2030.
"At present, we need at least 32 licences to run business and we need to renew them every year which costs both money and time," Mohammad Moazzem Hossain Moti, president of Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) said.
He added they want to get rid of the complexities related to the trade licence renewal and suggested that the government should rather enhance its vigilance in this regard.
The BGAPMEA president was addressing a press conference at a city hotel.
The briefing was convened to announce the beginning of four-day-long four trade shows that would take place simultaneously at Basundhara International Conference Center (BICC) from January 11 (Wednesday).
BGAPMEA and ASK Trade and Exhibition Pvt Ltd are jointly organising the shows.
Mr Moti said the validity of the existing import registration certificate (IRC) and export registration certificate (ERC) has been extended to five years instead of the previous one year and demanded the same duration for rest of the licences.
Responding to a question, he said the sub-sector with some 1,900 accessories and packaging manufacturing units are able to meet the requirement of such items of RMG industry that has set a target of earning US$54 billion by 2025.
They have reduced the import dependency drastically as only 10 to 15 per cent of the required accessories are imported mainly due to buyer's nomination, he said, adding last fiscal year they made deemed export worth about US$7.0 billion.
To meet the post-LDC graduation challenges and help achieve the $100 billion RMG exports, they need the government's policy supports, he said.
The BGAPMEA leader also demanded authorising the association to issue utilisation permission.
Nanda Gopal K, director of AKS Trade, said some 250 exhibitors from about 18 countries would display their products in 650 stalls.
The shows would display products and technologies that would help increase productivity, manufacture value added garment items and technology how to reduce wastage and yarn and fabric made of manmade fibre.
The shows -- 20th Garments Technology Show Bangladesh (GTB), 12th International Garments Accessories and Packaging (GAP), first India Textile Trade Fair Bangladesh (ITTF) and International Yarn and Fabrics Expo -- will remain open for all from 10:00 am to 7.00 pm, according to the organisers.
