BKMEA seeks gas rationing for vehicles to prioritise industrial production amid ongoing energy crisis
A press conference on the ongoing gas crisis and its impact on the industrial sector at the BKMEA building in Chashara, Narayanganj on 22 August 2026.Photo:TBS.
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A press conference on the ongoing gas crisis and its impact on the industrial sector at the BKMEA building in Chashara, Narayanganj on 22 August 2026.Photo:TBS.
The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has urged the government to stop supplying gas to all vehicles except public transport as part of a six-point proposal to address the ongoing energy crisis and minimise disruptions to industrial production.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem made the demands at a discussion meeting on the gas crisis and its impact on the knitwear industry at the organisation’s permanent office in Narayanganj’s Chashara today (22 August).
Hatem said the gas crisis, which began on 20 July, has severely disrupted production and prevented manufacturers from meeting export shipment deadlines.
He added that the energy minister had assured manufacturers that supplies would normalise from 10 August, but gas was restored for only two days before being cut again. “The disruption has made it difficult for factories to meet export shipment deadlines, while some buyers have shifted orders elsewhere due to concerns over delivery.”
“Many orders are moving elsewhere. Buyers are also concerned about whether we will be able to deliver their orders on time. As a result, they have shifted several orders for the next season elsewhere,” Hatem said.
The demands
The BKMEA president called for June and July gas and electricity bills of affected industrial establishments to be allowed to be paid in instalments over 12 months, saying the crisis had left many factories struggling to pay workers’ wages.
He also demanded that gas connections of industries not be disconnected over unpaid bills during the crisis.
The BKMEA president urged the government to issue clear operational guidelines for industries facing gas shortages and provide weekly briefings on the situation to prevent uncertainty and rumours.
He called for gas supply to vehicles other than public transport to be suspended so that limited supplies could be prioritised for essential sectors.
Hatem further demanded stronger action against illegal residential gas connections, citing Titas Gas’ reported system losses of 8-10%.
He requested Bangladesh Bank to prevent businesses affected by the gas crisis from being classified as loan defaulters if they fail to meet repayment schedules because of the disruption.
The meeting was attended by former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Kazi Moniruzzaman, BKMEA Executive President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Vice Presidents Morshed Sarwar Sohel and Ashikur Rahman, among others.
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