Readymade garment factory owners in Bangladesh are facing problems due to non-availability of gas for the last couple of years. Thus, both, BGMEA and BTMA leaders have demanded gas connections for the country's largest foreign currency earner on a priority basis. Garment factories are suffering because of lack of gas connections, especially, those who want to shift their non-compliant units from the capital to its suburbs are facing difficulties. Only because they were not allowed to shift their existing gas connection to the new destinations, alleges Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). About 64 non-compliant readymade garment factories failed to relocate their units. These are mostly located in shared or rented buildings.

The BGMEA stated that about 86 factories applied for increasing gas load, while 83 more applied for new connections. As per Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), investment in 30 spinning mills remained unused and many more may not go for expansion for some years due to lack of gas connections.

To improve its workplace and other safety requirements, factories wish to relocate their units, but the government does not allow transfer of existing gas connections. Due to this, more than 250 textile and garment factories could not go into production and expansion, claim industry insiders.

Nearly 233 RMG units needed 50.92 cft gas for relocation, expansion and to operate the new ones, said the BGMEA President. Thousands of workers could get employed and $1.0 billion more could be added to the country’s export earnings if these units could become operational.