Leaders from the Bangladesh textile mills and RMG sector recently met with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his secretariat office in Dhaka to present crucial policy requests. Delegations from the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) submitted proposals aimed at strengthening key export industries.
BTMA Demands Refinancing and Financial Package Support
During the meeting, the BTMA delegation, led by President Showkat Aziz Russell, urged the government to establish a special refinancing scheme for existing loans targeting export-oriented primary textile mills, featuring a maximum interest rate of 5 percent. The association requested the prompt implementation of the announced Tk 20,000 crore working capital support package using simplified procedures, project-based Credit Information Bureau (CIB) assessments, and temporary CIB relaxations for closed or partially operational units. They also called for a coordinated tax, tariff, and financial policy framework comparable to competing nations to safeguard export industries.
In response, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman directed the creation of a high-level committee featuring the commerce minister, the prime minister’s adviser on finance and planning, and the Bangladesh Bank governor. The committee will hold its first meeting within one week to review industry challenges and submit recommendations. During the visit, the BTMA handed over a Tk 5 crore cheque to the Prime Minister’s Relief and Welfare Fund.
BGMEA Highlights Gas Supply and Infrastructure Needs
A delegation from the BGMEA board of directors, led by President Mahmud Hasan Khan, also met with the prime minister to outline pressing operational challenges. The BGMEA leaders stressed the necessity of an uninterrupted gas supply and power delivery to sustain manufacturing and meet export schedules, noting that energy shortages have raised operating costs due to reliance on alternative power. The trade body requested a dedicated mechanism under the Prime Minister’s Office to resolve administrative bottlenecks in customs, banking, power, and gas supply.
The discussions underscored the central role of the textile mills and RMG sector in maintaining national economic stability. To streamline operations, BGMEA proposed a permanent policy allowing annual customs bond audits to be conducted by leading professional audit firms rather than frequent audits by the National Board of Revenue and bond authorities. They also requested the urgent construction of a temporary cargo shed at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport to resolve handling delays, alongside government land allocation in Gazipur to build a modern specialized hospital for garment workers. Ensuring quality healthcare for garment workers remains vital for the region.
