Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) met Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Thursday to discuss the ongoing challenges confronting the country’s apparel sector.
The delegation was led by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and included Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan, Vice-President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Vice-President Vidiya Amrit Khan, Vice-President Md Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury, along with several directors.
Following the meeting, Mahmud Hasan Khan said the finance minister’s business background gives him a clear understanding of the difficulties faced by entrepreneurs.
He described the discussion as comprehensive and constructive, focusing on the sector’s fragile condition and possible recovery strategies.
BGMEA leaders urged the government to release pending cash incentives without further delay and to simplify the disbursement process.
They noted that audit procedures by lien banks and Bangladesh Bank have delayed numerous applications. Around Tk5,700 crore in incentives for the textile and apparel sector remain unsettled in the 2025–26 fiscal year, creating severe liquidity pressure and affecting export performance.
The association proposed disbursing incentives immediately upon submission of applications rather than waiting for quarterly release schedules.
The finance minister acknowledged the validity of the request and assured that step would be taken to expedite the release of outstanding funds and modernise the process.
During the meeting, Vice-President Md Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury raised concerns over loan rescheduling and access to working capital.
He said that while banks often reschedule loans to manage non-performing loan ratios, they frequently fail to provide the additional working capital factories need to resume operations.
He suggested linking loan rescheduling with working capital support to create a mutually beneficial arrangement, enabling factories to operate and gradually repay their debts.
The finance minister agreed with the proposal.
BGMEA leaders also called for broader business facilitation measures and reduced operational costs to maintain Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global market.
They sought policy support to address bottlenecks in customs, ports and other administrative areas, and to ensure a more investment-friendly environment.
Amir Khasru requested the association to submit a detailed list within a week outlining specific challenges along with practical recommendations.
The BGMEA president assured him that the association would provide realistic and industry-focused proposals promptly.
Describing the garment sector as the backbone of the national economy, the finance minister pledged full policy support to ensure its sustainable growth.
