The Bangladesh textile industry's leading associations have taken their concerns directly to government leadership. Representatives from the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his Dhaka secretariat to submit critical policy proposals for the country's most vital export sector.
BTMA Calls for Refinancing Scheme and Financial Relief
BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell led the delegation presenting key financial demands. The association urged officials to establish a special refinancing scheme for export-oriented primary textile mills, with interest rates capped at a maximum of 5 percent.
BTMA also requested swift implementation of the announced Tk 20,000 crore working capital support package. The proposals included simplified procedures, project-based Credit Information Bureau (CIB) assessments, and temporary CIB relaxations for closed or partially operational units.
Industry leaders called for a coordinated tax, tariff, and financial policy framework comparable to those offered by competing nations. During the visit, BTMA presented a Tk 5 crore cheque to the Prime Minister's Relief and Welfare Fund.
BGMEA Highlights Energy Shortages and Infrastructure Demands
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan led a separate delegation focused on pressing operational challenges facing garment manufacturers. The association stressed the urgent need for uninterrupted gas supply and reliable power delivery to sustain production and meet export deadlines.
Energy shortages have forced factories onto alternative power sources, significantly raising operating costs. BGMEA requested a dedicated coordination mechanism under the Prime Minister's Office to clear bottlenecks across customs, banking, power, and gas supply.
The association put forward a focused set of structural demands:
- Annual customs bond audits conducted by leading professional audit firms instead of frequent reviews by the National Board of Revenue
- Urgent construction of a temporary cargo shed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to resolve handling delays
- Government land allocation in Gazipur to build a modern specialized hospital for garment workers
PM Orders High-Level Committee to Meet Within One Week
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman responded directly by directing the formation of a high-level committee to address industry concerns. The body will include the commerce minister, the PM's adviser on finance and planning, and the Bangladesh Bank governor.
The committee is scheduled to hold its first meeting within one week to review sector challenges and submit formal recommendations. The Bangladesh textile and RMG sector's outsized contribution to national export earnings makes swift policy action essential for economic stability.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What financial support did BTMA request from the Bangladesh government?
BTMA requested a special refinancing scheme with a maximum 5 percent interest rate for export-oriented mills, along with rapid activation of the Tk 20,000 crore working capital package. They also proposed simplified CIB procedures and temporary relaxations for idle or struggling production units.
Why is gas supply a critical issue for Bangladesh's RMG sector?
Unreliable gas and power delivery forces garment factories to use costly alternative energy, driving up operating expenses and disrupting export schedules. BGMEA urged the government to prioritize stable energy supply as a core condition for sustaining competitiveness.
How did Prime Minister Tarique Rahman respond to the industry's demands?
The Prime Minister directed the creation of a high-level committee — comprising the commerce minister, finance adviser, and Bangladesh Bank governor — to hold its first meeting within one week and deliver actionable recommendations for the sector's challenges.
The government's commitment to a dedicated high-level committee marks a concrete step toward resolving the structural challenges facing Bangladesh's textile and RMG industry, reinforcing the sector's role as the cornerstone of national export growth.
