BGMEA Seeks Two-Week Extension Amid Gas Crisis

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has requested global apparel buyers to extend goods delivery by up to two weeks due to the ongoing gas crisis in the country. The BGMEA President, Mahmud Hasan Khan, informed buyers at a virtual meeting that the gas crisis would start easing from August 8.

Many factories have been forced to use up to 70% of their production capacity due to poor gas supply, which has affected timely shipments and led to concerns among buyers. The BGMEA president also stated that the industry's production capacity had decreased by about 30-40% due to the gas problem.

According to Information and Broadcasting Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Zahed Ur Rahman, Bangladesh is facing an acute gas shortage, particularly outside Dhaka, as domestic gas production has fallen short of demand. The government expects the crisis to ease within a few days with the resumed operations of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal.