Customs houses to operate during holidays to support RMG exports ahead of Eid

Business Report :

In a move to facilitate uninterrupted trade operations before Eid-ul-Azha, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) has announced that all Customs Houses and Stations across the country will remain operational during public and weekly holidays from June 5 to June 14, excluding Eid day.
This decision comes in response to a formal appeal from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which underscored the necessity of continuous customs services to support the export-driven ready-made garment (RMG) industry.
In a letter dated May 14, BGMEA administrator Md Anwar Hossain urged the NBR chairman to ensure uninterrupted customs support, highlighting that any delay in shipment could result in financial losses and missed foreign currency earnings due to the time-sensitive nature of garment exports.
The RMG sector is currently grappling with several challenges, including US countervailing duties, labour unrest, rising prices of raw materials, high interest rates on bank loans, a persistent energy crisis, and increased transportation costs.
Despite these obstacles, exporters have managed to retain the confidence of international buyers, maintaining a steady stream of export orders. To sustain this momentum, BGMEA stressed the importance of seamless collaboration from all stakeholders, including customs offices, ports, banks, and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
The letter also warned that failure to dispatch current export consignments on time could result in order cancellations, dealing a blow to both exporters and the national economy.
In response, the NBR has issued an official directive ensuring that key customs facilities-such as the Chittagong Custom House-will remain operational during the designated period. The initiative is aimed at supporting the RMG sector in meeting its international commitments and keeping the country’s export engine running smoothly.