Dhaka should prepare to implement “Due Diligence Laws”: EU

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Dhaka 23 January: The International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) organized a roundtable on “Due Diligence Laws”, today where H.E. Charles Whiteley, Ambassador and Head of Delegation, European Union to Bangladesh has spoken as Chief Guest. The seminar was presided over by Mr. Humayun Rashid, President, IBFB. In the seminar the key note paper was presented by Mr. Bernd Spanier, Deputy Chief, European Union to Bangladesh.

The Chief Guest Charles Whiteley said Bangladesh is going to graduate from LDC to by 2026, for which Bangladesh from now onward should have preparation for compliance of environment including humanitarian situation.

Among others Mr. Faruque Hassan, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mr. Mohammad Hatem, Executive president, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Mr. Mohammad Ali Khokon, President, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and Mr. M.S. Siddiqui, Vice President, IBFB has participated as Designated Discussants.

The distinguished discussants have expressed their opinion to be lenient towards the manufacturer of RMG by the counterpart (European Union buyers). There will be a cost effective in implementing the “Due Diligence Laws” which the buyers should consider during negotiation of price.

Mr. Humayun Rashid, President, IBFB said that IBFB has been a facilitator in communicating the new law under process by European Union for Bangladesh stakeholders like BGMEA, BTMA and BKMEA. Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Founding President, IBFB made concluding remarks where Dr. Muhammad Abdul Mazid, Adviser, IBFB said the vote of thanks. IBFB Directors, Members including H.E. Leo Tito L. Ausan, JR., Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines, Mr. Ziad Hamad, Deputy Head of Mission, Palestine Embassy, Mr. John Fay, Trade Counselor, US Embassy, Dhaka, Ms. Leena Khan, Labour Attache, US Embassy, Dhaka, Ole R. Justesen, Sector Counsellor Occupational Health and Safety, Royal Danish Embassy, Dhaka, Fahim Abrar, Associate Advisor – Sustainable Production, Royal Danish Embassy, Dhaka, Mr. Werner Lange, Coordinator- GIZ Textile Cluster, Kim Jeong Ki, Consul, Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Noor-E-Khaja, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of IndustrieMr. Md. Khairul Hassan, Joint Secretary, Chief Law officer, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, Prime Minister’s Office, Mr. Ziaul Hassan Chowdhury, Assistant Secretary General, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, Mr. Md. Fazlul Haque Mazumder, Additional Executive Director (Investment Promotion), Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, Mr. Mohd. Khalid Abu Naser, Director, Bangladesh Competition Commission, Mr. Md. Makbul Hossain, Research Officer, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) attended.

The keynote paper was presented by Mr. Bernd Spanier, Deputy Chief, European Union to Bangladesh. – Press release