The textile and garment sector in Bangladesh is facing a critical crisis due to a severe shortage of gas supplies, leading to disruptions in manufacturing activities and imminent factory shutdowns. Industry leaders voiced their concerns at a press conference organised by the Bangladesh Textile Mill Association (BTMA) in the capital.
Representatives from major trade organisations, including the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Terry Towel and Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Leathergoods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, attended the event to highlight the gravity of the situation.
BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell emphasised that the sector has been grappling with gas shortages for several months, which have worsened in recent weeks. He criticised the Government’s response.
He warned that many textile mills are unable to operate even at minimum capacity and are on the verge of shutting down, jeopardising livelihoods and the country’s economy. “We may not be able to pay wages and festival allowances before Eid, and many factories may remain closed after the holiday,” he added.
He called for immediate Governmental intervention to ensure a steady gas supply, criticising repeated hikes in gas prices without effective solutions.
The BTMA leader further pointed out that the gas system suffers from approximately 20 percent system loss, far above the global standard of 1-2 per cent. “If the Government takes swift measures to reduce system loss, it could bring down the loss to 7-8 per cent,” he said.
Other industry representatives echoed these concerns. Anwar Ul Alam Chowdhury, President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, stated that although the Government committed to supplying adequate gas, actual supplies have fallen short. The hike in gas prices and interest rates has reduced factory operations to about 60 percent capacity.
Jakir Hossain Noyon of FBCCI urged the Government to explore new gas fields and adopt advanced technologies such as Small Modular Reactors to meet the rising energy demands. BTMA Director Rajeev Haidar emphasised the need for drilling new gas wells, warning that failure to act could discourage new entrepreneurs from entering the market.
BTMA Vice-President Saleudh Zaman Khan warned that if the Government does not take decisive action by June, numerous factories could shut down after Eid, further impacting employment and economic growth.
Industry leaders called for a strategic and immediate response from policymakers to address the ongoing energy crisis, emphasising that failure to do so could have long-lasting detrimental effects on Bangladesh’s industrial landscape.
