A powerful coordination cell was formed comprising members from BGMEA, BKMEA and C&F agents associations to deal with problems the garment industry faces during export-import activities.

The cell was formed at a view exchange meeting at the regional office of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in the port city on Tuesday.

BGMEA organised the meeting with Chittagong Clearing and Forwarding (C&F) Agents Association to identify the existing problems in export and import activities of garment industry.

BGMEA First Vice-President Nasir Uddin Chowdhury, who chaired the meeting, said export and import activities are seriously hampered due to various formalities like physical examination and chemical test maintained prior to releasing imported products at Customs House, Chittagong.

He put emphasis on joint initiatives for identifying the problems and their quick solution.

Chittagong C&F Agents Association President AKM Akhter Hossain stressed talks between garment authorities and customs authorities for the issue.

BGMEA Director AM Chowdhury Selim, former first vice-president Shahab Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury and Ershad Ullah, member Shawkat Osman, C&F Agent Association general secretary Altaf Hossain Chowdhury Bachchu and joint general secretary Kazi Mahmud Imam Bilu also spoke at the meeting.