The government has given a firm assurance that the ongoing problems facing the countryโs spinning sector will be resolved promptly, prompting the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) to temporarily suspend its previously announced programme to shut down textile mills.
The assurance came at a high-level meeting held on Tuesday (27 Jan) at the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce, chaired by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin.
The meeting focused on addressing the existing challenges confronting the ready-made garment and textile sectors, said a press release.
During the meeting, the commerce adviser reviewed the problems facing the spinning sector in detail, acknowledged the validity of the industryโs concerns, and underscored the strategic importance of the spinning industry to Bangladeshโs export trade and industrial base.
He reiterated the governmentโs strong commitment to delivering effective, practical, and fair solutions within a short timeframe.
Senior officials present at the meeting included National Board of Revenue (NBR) Chairman Abdur Rahman Khan, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, Acting chairman of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission Abdul Gaffur, Additional Secretary of the Finance Division Rahima Begum, NBR Member for Customs Policy Mubinul Kabir, along with other senior officials from the Ministry of Commerce.
The meeting was also attended by leaders of key industry bodies, including BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell, BGMEA Acting president Selim Rahman, and BKMEA Executive President Fazle Shamim Ehsan.
Representatives of BTMA, BGMEA, and BKMEA separately presented their proposals and explained the rationale behind their demands.
The commerce adviser further informed the meeting that a coordination meeting involving all stakeholders would be held on 3 February at the Finance Division of the Ministry of Finance to reach final decisions on the issues.
In light of the governmentโs clear assurances, the positive progress in ongoing discussions, and the upcoming national election and referendum, BTMA announced the suspension of its decision to shut down all textile mills from 1 February as previously planned.
