B Mirror Report: The government has released Tk 2,500 crore against outstanding cash incentives for export-oriented industries, including the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has welcomed the decision.

In a statement on Tuesday (March 3), BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said that with the holy Eid-ul-Fitr approaching, industrial owners are under increasing pressure to pay workers’ wages and allowances, festival bonuses, and utility bills. The release of the cash incentive funds at this time will bring significant relief to the industry.

BGMEA said the current board of the association recently held a series of meetings with high-level government officials, the Ministry of Finance, and Bangladesh Bank, demanding the release of the pending cash incentives. Following these discussions, the funds were approved in the shortest possible time.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Finance, a total of Tk 2,500 crore has been allocated under the third installment of the 2025–26 fiscal year — Tk 1,500 crore in the first phase and Tk 1,000 crore in the second phase.

The association has urged its member factories to contact their respective lien banks and complete the necessary formalities promptly.

Industry insiders said the fund release will help address the liquidity crisis in the export sector and have a positive impact on maintaining the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s garment industry in the global market.