A delegation from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has met Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder to seek immediate policy and financial support to help the country’s readymade garment (RMG) industry navigate what it described as a deepening crisis.
The delegation, led by BGMEA Vice President Md Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury, informed the finance secretary that the sector is at a critical juncture, citing global economic uncertainty alongside a range of domestic challenges affecting manufacturers.
According to data presented by the BGMEA, apparel export growth declined by 2.43% during the first seven months of the current fiscal year. The slowdown was more pronounced between October and December 2025, when export growth fell by an average of 9.43% compared with the same period a year earlier.
Industry representatives said that around 400 garment factories had closed over the past year as a result of rising production costs, falling product prices and a reduction in export orders. They warned that many more factories remain at risk of closure if conditions do not improve.
The delegation also drew attention to operational challenges expected in February and March, noting that the national election, public holidays and Eid-ul-Fitr would reduce effective working days to 35 out of a possible 60. Despite this, factories will face a significantly higher wage burden in March, as they are required to pay regular monthly salaries alongside festival bonuses and advance wages.
The BGMEA cautioned that small and medium-sized enterprises are particularly vulnerable, adding that insufficient banking support could trigger industrial unrest with wider economic consequences.
To ease liquidity pressures, the association urged the government to expedite the disbursement of pending cash incentives currently being processed by lien banks and Bangladesh Bank. It also called for the provision of soft or low-interest loans equivalent to six months’ wages to enable factories to pay workers’ salaries and bonuses on time.
The finance secretary listened to the proposals and offered assurances that appropriate measures would be considered to address the situation.
Other members of the delegation included BGMEA Vice President Md Rezwan Selim, Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, and Director Faisal Samad.
