UK urged to create fund for RMG import

Raising the issue of confirmed orders of RMG exports from Bangladesh to the UK being cancelled by the UK brands and retailers, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has suggested the country may take the initiative of creating a Covid-19 fund which can be used to bail out the UK brands and retailers so that they can continue with their imports from Bangladesh.

The fund can also be used to help the workers to sustain their families, he added.

A Press Release issued on Tuesday said the State Minister discussed the matter during a telephone conversation with Lord Tariq Ahmad, UK Minister (State Minister) for South Asia and Commonwealth in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office yesterday.

During the discussion, Alam highlighted that orders amounting to close to 300 million dollars have been cancelled or postponed by UK buyers, putting the livelihoods of close to a million workers in Bangladesh in jeopardy. Lord Tariq Ahmad agreed that action needs to be taken in this regard.

During the meeting, the two Ministers discussed the current situation of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the way forward. The UK Minister appreciated the steps taken by the Government of Bangladesh led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in containing the spread of Coronavirus. Lord Ahmad and State Minister Shahriar Alam agreed to work together in WHO to find a solution of the global crisis of coronavirus.

The Ministers also discussed how the Commonwealth can play an important role globally in the post Covid-19 world.