Bangladesh’s knitwear factories are seeking emergency support, including a 12-month repayment window for gas and electricity bills, as prolonged energy shortages leave manufacturers struggling with production losses and mounting financial pressure.
The demand came from members of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) in Narayanganj during a meeting on Saturday, where factory owners urged the government to provide relief amid a worsening gas and fuel crisis triggered by recent accidents and global disruptions.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem chaired the meeting, where members detailed the impact of supply disruptions and called on the association to place their concerns before the relevant authorities.
Manufacturers said many factories had suffered severe losses after remaining shut for nearly a month due to inadequate gas supply and unstable energy availability.
They sought permission to pay outstanding utility bills, including gas and electricity bills for June and July, in instalments over the next 12 months.
Factory owners also requested that utility providers refrain from disconnecting gas and electricity connections over unpaid bills during the crisis period.
The knitwear exporters called for immediate action against illegal gas connections, saying unauthorised use was reducing available supply and increasing system losses. They urged authorities to identify those involved and take legal action.
They also proposed halting CNG supply to privately owned vehicles, while allowing public transport to continue receiving the fuel, to prioritise gas availability for industries.
The members called for weekly press briefings by authorities until the energy situation improves, saying regular updates would help businesses plan production and reduce uncertainty.
They further sought an extension of the loan default classification period to 12 months from the existing six months, arguing that exporters were already facing pressure from global trade disruptions linked to the Russia-Ukraine war.
Manufacturers said the latest energy crisis had further weakened their repayment capacity, putting many factories at risk of financial distress.
BKMEA said the proposed measures were aimed at safeguarding industrial production and supporting export-oriented factories through the ongoing crisis.
