The National Board of Revenue (NBR) has announced that all Customs Houses and Stations across the country will remain operational during public and weekly holidays from 5th-14th June, excluding Eid day, to ensure uninterrupted import and export activities ahead of Eid-ul-Azha.
The decision comes in response to a formal request from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which highlighted the critical need for continuous trade operations to support the country’s export-oriented ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
In a letter dated May 14, BGMEA administrator Md Anwar Hossain underscored the urgency of timely shipments, noting that delays could lead to financial losses and missed foreign exchange earnings. Despite facing challenges such as US counter-tariffs, labour unrest, rising raw material costs, high interest rates, energy shortages, and increased transportation expenses, garment exporters have managed to maintain strong relationships with international buyers and uphold steady export orders.
To sustain this momentum, BGMEA called for seamless cooperation from ports, customs authorities, banks, and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB). The association warned that failure to meet deadlines could result in order cancellations, adversely affecting both exporters and the national economy.
In response, the NBR issued an official directive to keep key customs offices, including the Chittagong Custom House, operational during the specified period. This measure aims to facilitate smooth trade operations, enabling the RMG industry to meet international deadlines and support economic growth during the festive season.
