President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Mahmud Hasan Khan has urged the government for immediate action to resolve the ongoing gas supply crisis affecting the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector, its largest export industry, and to guarantee a continuous gas supply.
Mahmud made the request while meeting with Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Mohammad Saifuddin Islam on Wednesday.
During the meeting, BGMEA President Mahmud highlighted the challenges faced by the RMG industry due to the gas crisis, said a press release.
He emphasised that insufficient gas supply and low gas pressure are preventing many factories from operating at full production capacity, which is negatively impacting exports and hindering the nation’s economic growth.
To address these issues, Khan presented five key proposals: prioritising gas connections for the labour-intensive garment and textile industries, accelerating the vetting process for new Titas gas connections, and creating a separate fast-track list for applicants who only need to change or relocate equipment without increasing their gas load.
He also suggested prioritising applicants wishing to use low load to help small and medium-sized industries resume production quickly and ensuring a minimum gas pressure of 3-4 PSI in factories located at the end of the gas pipelines.
Mahmud Hasan Khan stressed that facilitating the garment industry’s growth is crucial for maintaining its competitive edge in the international market, especially after the country’s graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
He called for the government’s full support to secure investments and employment, thereby ensuring continued economic progress for Bangladesh.
In response, Secretary Mohammad Saifuddin Islam assured the BGMEA president that the government views the garment industry as a top priority.
He stated that the government is committed to resolving the sector’s issues and will seriously consider the concerns raised during the meeting.
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