Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has requested the government to allow export-oriented ready-made garment (RMG) factories to pay their gas and electricity bills for July and August 2026 in 12 equal monthly instalments.
The trade body for knitters, on August 09, made the demand in a letter to Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem urged immediate policy intervention to cushion knitwear exporters from a severe liquidity crunch caused by acute energy shortages.
"Severe gas and electricity supply crises throughout July and August 2026 heavily crippled normal manufacturing schedules and factory operations across the country," the letter signed by the BKMEA president read.
The disruption of natural gas supplies via open and cascade cylinders forced mill owners to procure high-cost alternative fuels, such as diesel and LPG, with immediate cash outlays to keep production lines running, he explained.
These unbudgeted fuel purchases significantly escalated overall production costs, resulting in major financial strain that leaves factory owners unable to clear utility bills in a single lump sum, the BKMEA leader said.
The trade body argued that utility relief is critical to keeping export activities operational, protecting foreign exchange earnings, and securing worker employment.
The BKMEA requested ministerial intervention to direct distribution companies to divide the utility bills for July and August 2026 into 12 equal monthly payments.
