Garment accessories makers in Bangladesh are demanding cash incentives on exports in the upcoming budget, saying they are contributing to almost all export-oriented sectors. Accessories makers are not under the government’s incentive policy although the garment sector has been enjoying such benefits for a long time. Garment exporters now enjoy five per cent incentive on exports.

Accessories makers in the country have increased their capacities and are able to meet the requirements of garment exporters almost entirely. Previously the demand for such accessories was met through imports. In the plastic sector, accessories makers supply 39 kinds of materials; in the garment sector, they can supply 48 types of products such as poly bags, hangers, plastic clips, buttons, button tags and zippers.

They want the establishment of a packaging and accessories institution for skills development. They have also demanded a loan rescheduling facility, as the country’s exports have been affected by prolonged political unrest at the beginning of the year.

Accessories makers also want the government to maintain the current rate of tax at source at 0.3 per cent for the next five years so that the export-oriented sectors are not affected. They have urged the government to grant a down payment option in loan rescheduling for all export-oriented sectors.