BGMEA Seeks Clarity on Gas Crisis Impacting Garment Exports

Buyers of Bangladeshi garments are growing increasingly concerned about whether export orders can be shipped on schedule due to the country's ongoing gas shortage. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) met with representatives of Buyers Forum Bangladesh in Dhaka yesterday to address these concerns.

The BGMEA requested that buyers support factories facing production disruptions by allowing shipment delays of one to two weeks, where necessary. This request was made as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the smooth supply of garments to international markets.

According to Moyeen Hyder Chowdhury, Bangladesh country manager of Puma, buyers primarily wanted to know when the existing gas supply situation would return to normal. He noted that one floating storage and regasification unit was expected to be repaired by August 6-7, after which gas supplies would begin to improve.

The BGMEA also informed buyers that another floating storage and regasification unit would be installed within the next 18 to 24 months. In addition, the business community has urged the government to establish a land-based liquefied natural gas storage facility to strengthen long-term energy security.