Owners can run factories, if they want: Commerce minister

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Wednesday said the government has given no directives regarding the closure of garment factories. 

"If the factory owners want, they can run their factories following a proper health guideline," Munshi said after attending an inter-ministerial meeting held at his Secretariat office to discuss and prevent the outbreak of the novel coronavirus across the country.

Chief of Army Staff General Aziz Ahmed, Bangladesh Bank Governor Fazle Kabir, Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Ahmad Kaikaus, Finance Division Secretary Abdur Rauf Talukder, Commerce Secretary Md Jafar Uddin and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Rubana Huq were present at the meeting among many others.

Commenting on the Tk5,000 crore stimulus package offered to the export-oriented industries, the commerce minister said the exporters will get loans at two percent interest.

"It is not a grant. The loan will have to be repaid within a certain period," Munshi said.

Meanwhile, General Aziz Ahmed said members of the army have been working as per the directives of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who has described the fight against the coronavirus as a war.

"Our soldiers are always ready to face battle, and we are with the people of the country," he said. 

Responding to a query, General Aziz said additional army personnel will be deployed according to the situation. 

"Presently, there is no need to create panic among the people by deploying additional personnel," he added.

Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam said the law enforcers were directed to ensure social distancing during the holidays to avoid the spread of Covid-19.

"The holiday is not for travelling, it is to curb the virus' spread. This is possible only when the people will come forward together," he added.