Bangladesh's textile and garment sectors are urgently pressing the government to take strategic steps to rescue export-oriented industries from critical pressures. During a crucial meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his secretariat office in Dhaka, a delegation from the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA)—led by President Showkat Aziz Russell—urged the government to introduce a special refinancing scheme for existing loans with a maximum interest rate of 5 percent.
The millers also requested the swift implementation of a Tk 20,000 crore working capital support package through simplified procedures, project-based Credit Information Bureau (CIB) assessments, and temporary CIB relaxations for closed or partially operational enterprises. Furthermore, the BTMA demanded the adoption of a competitive policy framework aligned with competing nations, alongside prompt and efficient government services from the Prime Minister's Office. In response, the prime minister directed the formation of a high-level committee comprising the commerce minister, the prime minister’s adviser on finance and planning, and the Bangladesh Bank governor to review sector challenges and submit recommendations within a week. As a gesture of social support, the BTMA also handed over a Tk 5 crore cheque to the prime minister's relief and welfare fund.
Meanwhile, a delegation from the board of directors of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), led by President Mahmud Hasan Khan, held a separate meeting with the prime minister on the same day. BGMEA leaders strongly demanded an uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity to keep factory operations running and ensure the timely shipment of export orders. They highlighted the adverse impacts of the recent energy crisis on production capacity and the surging operating costs caused by high reliance on alternative power sources. To overcome bureaucratic hurdles, the BGMEA requested a dedicated mechanism under the Prime Minister's Office to expedite the resolution of customs, banking, and utility issues.
The association also proposed a permanent policy allowing annual customs bond audits to be conducted by leading professional audit firms, cutting through the complexities of frequent National Board of Revenue audits. Additionally, addressing the inadequate cargo handling capacity at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the BGMEA urged the urgent construction of a temporary cargo shed and the allocation of government land in Gazipur to establish a modern, specialized hospital offering affordable, quality healthcare for garment workers.
