Dhaka: President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Md Siddiqur Rahman on Monday said that imports and exports are being affected due to the negligence of Port officials by the government.

He came up with this observation during a press conference at BGMEA building in Kawranbazar of the capital, reports the UNB.

Mentioning the necessity of handling equipment in the Chittagong Port, the BGMEA president said, 247 equipment including 26 key gantry cranes, 52 rubber tired gantry cranes, 39 empty handlers, 130 tractor-trailers are needed, when there are only 89 available.

On the other hand, only 285 equipment are available against the need of 895 ones for cargo handling, he added.

In the press conference, seven specific proposals were presented from the BGMEA to solve the problems.

Asserting his concern about the closure of 1,200 factories after inspection of Accord and Alliance, Siddiqur Rahman said, ‘It is becoming impossible for many to survive after fulfilling expenditures such as bank loan, house rent and others.’

In this circumstance, entrepreneurs are at risk about project loan, stock lot, customs liability, term loan, bad CIB report and so on, said the BGMEA president.

Stating that it is impossible to continue business like this, Siddiqur urged the government to give infrastructural support to boost the business growth and to recruit people who work instead of the ones who do not.