Gas Shortage Threatens Textile Industry Shutdown In Bangladesh
Leaders of Bangladesh’s primary textile mills have sounded the alarm over the worsening gas crisis, warning that continued disruptions in supply are pushing factories toward closure.
At a press conference held at the Gulshan Club in Dhaka on Sunday, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Showkat Aziz Russell expressed deep concern over the ongoing gas shortage, which has severely hampered industrial operations. He urged the government to take immediate action to restore uninterrupted gas supply to industries and revoke the recent gas price hikes for industrial use and captive power plants.
“If immediate steps are not taken, factories will be forced to shut down—and then there won’t be a need to worry about gas pressure at all,” Russell cautioned.
He criticized the government’s failure to ensure adequate gas supply despite repeated promises and significant price increases. He also questioned how mills could meet wage deadlines and manage expenses such as utilities and high-interest loans when production remains disrupted.
The BTMA president called for a comprehensive mid-term energy strategy and a clear roadmap to address the current crisis. He emphasized the urgent need to curb system losses, eliminate illegal gas connections, and withdraw VAT imposed at various stages of gas supply.
“The industry cannot survive under these circumstances,” he said, warning that without prompt intervention, the crisis could lead to widespread shutdowns and job losses in one of Bangladesh’s most vital economic sectors.
