B Mirror Report: A group from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) met with Finance Secretary Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder is requesting prompt policy assistance and financial aid to enable the readymade garment (RMG) sector to navigate its current crisis

The delegation, headed by BGMEA Vice President Md. Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury, said the country’s largest export-earning industry is passing through a critical period due to global economic uncertainty alongside several domestic pressures.

BGMEA leaders informed the finance secretary that apparel export growth fell by 2.43 percent during the first seven months of the current fiscal year. They added that export performance between October and December 2025 declined by an average of 9.43 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.

They further noted that nearly 400 garment factories have closed over the past year as a result of increasing production costs, falling product prices and reduced work orders, while many others are struggling to remain operational.

The association also expressed concern over February and March, pointing out that the national election, public holidays and Eid-ul-Fitr will significantly cut working days to only 35 out of 60 days.

Despite fewer working days, factory owners will face a heavy financial burden in March as they must pay regular wages along with festival bonuses and advance salaries, effectively doubling labor expenses.

BGMEA warned that small and medium-sized factories are at greater risk and said insufficient banking support could trigger labor unrest, posing a serious threat to the broader economy.

To ease the pressure, the delegation urged the government to speed up the disbursement of pending cash incentives currently under process with lien banks and Bangladesh Bank to improve liquidity at factory level.

They also requested the introduction of soft loans or low-interest credit facilities equal to six months’ wages to ensure timely payment of workers’ salaries and festival allowances.

Finance Secretary Md. Khairuzzaman Mozumder listened to the concerns and assured the delegation that the government would consider appropriate measures to support the sector.

The BGMEA team also included Vice President Md. Rezwan Selim, Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, and Director Faisal Samad.