Energy shortages force 600 textile factories to halt production, says BTMA president

Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Showkat Aziz Russell has claimed that production has halted in 600 textile factories over the past month.

He made the comment at an emergency board meeting held by the BTMA on Tuesday to assess the impact of the ongoing gas and power crisis on textile factories nationwide.

Showkat says many factories were already operating below capacity because of financial difficulties and other challenges. Production at some facilities has since been stopped altogether amid shortages of gas and electricity.

However, he could not provide an exact figure for the number of factories shut specifically because of the energy shortages.

According to him, the meeting decided to gather information on factories that have been forced to close and submit the findings to the Ministry of Commerce.

The association will also seek a new incentive package for the textile sector, he added.

Media reports have highlighted factory closures in Savar, Gazipur and Mymensingh, areas with significant textile operations that have been among the hardest hit by the ongoing gas crisis.

The crisis has not yet significantly affected textile factories in Chattogram and Habiganj.

Reduced gas supplies in several of these industrial zones have also disrupted factories’ captive power generation, leaving some unable to maintain operations.

Showkat told bdnews24.com, “Factories are running with many problems. They are now no longer able to operate due to the gas crisis. The number of factories that have stopped production in the last one month is about 600.”

Highlighting BTMA's plan to submit a plan to the government for the textile sector, he said: “The government should give us a grace period for our loans. Give us a refinance scheme after gas becomes available. Then the businessmen will be relieved from the pressure of repaying bank loans.”