Political Unrest: Garment orders moving to other countries

Published : Monday, 3 November, 2025 at 12:26 PM Count : 66

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Due to political uncertainty, gas shortages, and electricity crises, many new orders in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector are shifting to neighboring and rival countries. If the current crisis continues, export growth in this sector will be hampered and the national economy will be severely affected.

Industry stakeholders further warned that without political stability, a reliable energy supply, and efficient infrastructure, the future of the garment sector will be at serious risk.

These remarks were made yesterday (Sunday) at a seminar titled “Current Challenges and the Way Forward”, organized by the Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBHA) at the Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

The event was presided over by the association’s president, Md. Mofazzal Hossain Pavel.

Speakers said that due to political uncertainty, frequent blockades, load-shedding, and gas crises, factories are failing to complete production on time. As a result, many exporters are being forced to ship goods by expensive air freight to meet buyers’ deadlines. This has increased export costs and caused financial strain, especially for small and medium-sized factories.

Mohammad Rashed, vice president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said, “We are going through a difficult time. Because of the overall uncertainty in the country, international buyers are hesitant to place new orders. If the situation is not resolved soon, the crisis will deepen.”

BGBHA Secretary General Mohammad Zakir Hossain stated, “Production is being severely disrupted due to gas shortages and daily load-shedding of three to four hours. Goods cannot be shipped on time, forcing businessmen to use air freight, which causes major financial losses.”

He urged the government to formulate a clear roadmap to achieve the $100 billion export target by 2030.

Shawkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), said, “The textile and garment sector contributes over 85% of national exports. Yet we are not getting the opportunity to engage in discussions with top government officials. This is causing frustration among investors.”

He also noted that the recent fire at Dhaka Airport has damaged the country’s image and slowed down the flow of new orders.

BGMEA Director Faisal Samad said, “Gas and power shortages, airport complications, and bureaucratic hurdles have turned the garment sector into a crisis management industry.”

He also criticized the government’s decision to lower the minimum number of workers required to form a union from 50 to 20.

Former BGMEA Director Shovon Islam said, “Export orders are also being affected due to U.S. tariff policies and complications over labor issues.”

BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury said, “If our party comes to power, we will work to extend the LDC graduation period so that businesses have more time to prepare.”

He added, “Under the current government, some businessmen have looted money from the banking sector, making the financial system fragile. To restore a ‘feel-good’ environment for business, we need investment-friendly policies and administrative reforms.”

Khosru also stated, “If we come to power, we will build a private sector–driven growth model and an export-oriented economy. We will remove unnecessary restrictions and simplify business processes.”

BTMA President Criticizes Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary

BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell said that the Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, “talks like a madman.”

Referring to recent complaints about the BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu not being able to get a meeting with the Chief Adviser, Russell said, “It’s unfortunate that the BGMEA president still hasn’t been granted an appointment with the Chief Adviser. Then why did you take this responsibility?”

He added, “The same political games that happened during the previous government are starting again.”

Addressing the Press Secretary directly, he said, “We are dying here — factories are shutting down, people are losing jobs. Don’t you see what’s happening?”

He further remarked, “Where airports catch fire, do you think foreign buyers will place orders there? The intangible damage is enormous.”

He urged the government, “Give us relief through an election.”

Russell also said about the Press Secretary, “He has a Facebook page where he makes inappropriate comments that embarrass people. If the right people aren’t in the right positions, the right decisions will never be made.”

FP/MI