After the European Union offered the SAARC cumulation, the government could not take the decision to implement it as textile entrepreneurs and garment exporters took opposite stances.

The textile entrepreneurs are strongly opposing the implementation of the regional cumulation, saying it will not only discourage further investment in primary textile industry but also threaten the existing local backward linkage factories.

On the other hand, garment exporters argue if the regional cumulation is allowed, it will further push the export up and ultimately the economy will be strengthen.

Secretaries of the finance, foreign, industries, commerce and textile ministries will attend today's meeting with Kamal Siddiqui, principal secretary to the prime minister, in the chair. Besides, leaders of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and local experts will also attend the meeting.

"SAARC cumulation is not viable for us. As per rules of origin, local value addition should be above 50 per cent. But we all know that our value addition in case of garment export is around 25 per cent. If the regional cumulation is allowed, it may encourage malpractice and ultimately damage our image further," MA Awal, chairman of BTMA, said.

Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury recently told the European Union in Brussels that global cumulation should precede regional cumulation since rules of origin in case of regional cumulation is not contributing to LDC export incomes due to non-fulfilment of value addition requirement.

After the minister's statement, BTMA blamed the Ministry of Commerce for undermining the interest of textile sector, saying it is advocating global cumulation for Bangladesh which will destroy local backward linkage industries.

"There is no growth in garment export for a long time. Garment exports will go up if we are allowed to import fabrics from SAARC countries and get GSP facility," said SM Nurul Hoque, acting president of the BGMEA.

The government has to take the decision, he said, adding that there is no time for further discussion on this issue.

He also said the garment exporters will not import the fabrics that are locally produced.

Presently, local producers can supply only 20 per cent woven fabrics and the rest are imported from different countries.