The government has also decided to assign six more secretaries of line ministries to be members of the high-powered committee from the government side.

Prime Minister's office yesterday conveyed the decision to the Ministry of Commerce, and Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury apprised the industry stakeholders of the quick government response to their proposal.

The government decision came two days after Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's announcement to form a high-level body to do whatever needed to enable the country's apparel industry to face quota-free trade regime that's up and coming.

Altaf told the leaders of BGMEA and BTMA, when they called on him separately yesterday, that members from the trade bodies concerned would be inducted soon.

The trade bodies apprised the new commerce minister of their respective longstanding problems, and the challenges they would have to face in the post-MFA era, beginning next year.

They also pointed out their different stands over central bonded warehouse on which the two trade bodies have long been arguing from different points of view.

Both the trade bodies also put forward their respective suggestions for the development of the apparel and textile industry.

BGMEA President Annisul Huq and BTMA president MA Awal led their respective delegations in the meetings at the Ministry of Commerce.