B Mirror Report:  The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has urged Bangladesh Bank (BB) to strengthen policy support and extend key deadlines under a central bank circular to help the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector overcome ongoing challenges.

The demand was raised during a meeting held on Wednesday at the Bangladesh Bank headquarters, where a BGMEA delegation led by Director Majumdar Arifur Rahman met Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed, according to a press release issued today.

One of the main proposals was to extend the eligibility deadline under BRPD Circular-07/2025 for defaulted accounts receiving policy support. The BGMEA requested shifting the current cutoff from November 2025 to March 31, 2026, saying the extension would allow more distressed factories to qualify for assistance and resume operations.

The association said the move would help reduce non-performing loans (NPLs) in the banking sector and improve overall financial stability.

BGMEA leaders also expressed concern that many eligible factories are being deprived of benefits due to delays in proper implementation of central bank policies by commercial banks. They urged Bangladesh Bank to issue stronger and binding instructions to ensure compliance.

The delegation further called for an extension of the deadline for reopening closed factories, stressing the need for accurate verification of affected units to ensure a proper rehabilitation process.

Deputy Governor Dr. Md. Kabir Ahmed assured the delegation that the central bank would take necessary steps to address the issues raised.

The meeting was also attended by former BGMEA Vice President Shahidul Islam, Public Relations Committee Chairman Masud Kabir, and senior officials from Bangladesh Bank’s Banking Regulation and Policy Department.