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Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association met Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury at the Secretariat on Thursday to discuss the challenges facing the apparel sector.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan led the delegation. Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan, Vice-President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Vice-President Vidiya Amrit Khan, Vice-President Md Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury and several directors also attended the meeting.
Mahmud Hasan Khan said the finance minister’s business background enables him to understand the problems entrepreneurs face. He described the discussion as cordial and detailed, with a focus on the sector’s fragile condition and possible recovery measures.
The BGMEA leaders urged the government to release pending cash incentives without delay and simplify the disbursement process. They said lien bank and Bangladesh Bank audit procedures have stalled numerous applications. Around Tk5,700 crore in incentives for the textile and apparel sector remain unsettled in the 2025-26 fiscal year, which has created acute liquidity pressure and affected export capacity.
The delegation requested that authorities disburse incentives upon application submission instead of waiting for quarterly release schedules. The finance minister acknowledged the rationale behind the demand and assured quick release of outstanding funds and modernisation of the process.
During the meeting, Vice-President Md Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury raised concerns over loan rescheduling and working capital. He said banks often reschedule loans to maintain non-performing loan ratios but fail to provide the working capital factories need to resume operations. He proposed that banks pair rescheduling with working capital support to create a win-win outcome, allowing factories to operate and repay loans. The finance minister agreed with the proposal.
BGMEA leaders also called for business facilitation and lower operational costs to help Bangladesh remain competitive in the global market. They sought policy support to remove obstacles in customs, ports and other administrative layers and to ensure an investment-friendly environment.
Amir Khasru asked the association to submit a comprehensive list within one week identifying specific barriers and proposing practical solutions. The BGMEA president assured him that the association would provide realistic and industry-focused recommendations promptly.
The finance minister described the garment industry as the backbone of the national economy and pledged full policy support to ensure its sustainable growth.
https://thedailyexpress.news/news/business/1f112ead-0b53-65e0-a93e-e53ee05c6e0b