Garment exporters are seeking more time to pay their July and August utility bills as the prolonged gas and electricity crisis pushes up production costs and strains factory cash flows.
The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has requested a 12-month instalment facility for gas and electricity payments, saying the measure would help factories continue operations and protect export earnings.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem made the request in a letter to Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on 9 August, seeking government intervention.
The association said many factories faced severe production disruptions during July and August as energy shortages reduced output and affected normal operations.
The situation worsened after gas supplies through open cylinders and cascade cylinders were suspended, leaving some factories unable to maintain production. To avoid shutdowns and protect export commitments, manufacturers had to rely on alternative fuels such as diesel and LPG, requiring additional cash spending.
BKMEA said these extra fuel costs were not included in factory production plans and came at a time when lower output had already weakened financial positions.
The association said paying accumulated gas and electricity bills in a single payment had become difficult because factories were dealing with reduced production, higher operating expenses and rising energy costs.
It said the proposed instalment facility would ease immediate financial pressure on exporters, allowing them to maintain production, preserve jobs and continue contributing to foreign exchange earnings.
