This is needed to facilitate seamless and smooth running of garment industry operations, Khan was told.

Led by acting BGMEA president Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, the delegation conveyed that customs-related problems lead to a rise in production costs, causing unnecessary delays, a BGMEA release said.

In the face of a global economic recession, decline in global demand and spending for apparel products, and increase in the industry's production costs, it is essential to simplify, expedite and ensure hassle-free customs processes to maintain the competitiveness of the industry, the delegation added.

It also recommended the formation of a task force with Customs Houses and Bond Commissionerates to resolve the prevailing issues related to customs and bonds in the apparel industry, particularly to make services faster and easier.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)