BTMA Expresses Gratitude to the Government for Improvement in Gas and Electricity Supply
A discussion meeting was held today at Gulshan Club with members of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), its Board of Directors, and former and current leaders to discuss the prevailing situation, challenges, and required policy support for the primary textile sector. Mr. Showkat Aziz Russell, President of BTMA, chaired the meeting.
The meeting was addressed by BTMA’s former Vice President Mr. Abdullah Al Mamun, former Director Mr. Md. Fazlul Hoque Babu, Mr. Tayabul Haque, Director Mr. Shahid Alam, Mr. Khorshed Alam, Mr. Md. Badsha Mia, and BTMA Vice President and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industries, Mr. Md. Abul Kalam, MP.
The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) expressed its sincere gratitude and appreciation to the government for the visible improvement in gas and electricity supply in the industrial sector.
Participants said the recent improvement in gas supply has created a more positive environment for production in primary textile mills. Given the prolonged energy crisis, such improvements through government initiatives are expected to play an important role in maintaining industrial production, protecting employment, and ensuring the continuity of raw material supplies to the export-oriented apparel industry. The meeting therefore expressed sincere gratitude and thanks to Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Tarique Rahman and the relevant ministries and government authorities.
Speaking at the meeting, BTMA Vice President Mr. Md. Abul Kalam, MP, said that the government is sincerely working to resolve the gas and electricity crisis. He noted that the energy crisis is a long-standing accumulated problem and that the government is taking measures through short-, medium-, and long-term plans to ensure a sustainable solution. He also expressed hope that, in the interest of the country’s primary textile industry, the existing facility to import 10–30 count cotton yarn through bank guarantees instead of the bond facility would remain in place.
The meeting held detailed discussions on the current situation of the primary textile industry, production costs, energy supply, import and export activities, bond facilities, banking arrangements, and the industry’s competitiveness compared with competing countries. Considering the contribution of the primary textile sector to the national economy and its role in generating substantial employment, the meeting placed the following issues before the government for kind consideration:
1. To retain the facility for importing 10–30 count cotton yarn through bank guarantees instead of the bond facility, in the interest of the country’s primary textile industry and economy.
2. To take appropriate legal action against those involved in misuse or irregularities related to the bond facility.
3. To express appreciation to the government for the recent improvement in the gas and electricity supply situation.
4. To simplify the processes for loan rescheduling, refinancing, and restructuring for the primary textile industry.
In his concluding remarks, BTMA President Mr. Shawkat Aziz Russell expressed his sincere thanks and gratitude to the Honourable Prime Minister and the government for the improvement in gas and electricity supply. He said that ensuring a consistent energy supply would help increase the production capacity of the primary textile industry, protect employment, and ensure an uninterrupted supply of raw materials to the readymade garment industry.
He urged the government to formulate policy decisions by balancing the country’s broader economic interests, industrial competitiveness, and revenue protection. At the same time, he emphasized the need for strict measures to prevent misuse of the bond system while making the business environment easier and more competitive for legitimate and compliant industrial establishments.
