Do Not Let Gas Crisis Cripple Our Garment Industry 

Bangladesh’s economic success story has long been woven with the threads of its garment industry. However, it is alarming that this success is now under mounting pressure as an acute gas shortage disrupts factory operations and threatens the country’s export competitiveness. According to a recent report, factories across Savar-Ashulia and other industrial belts are struggling to complete production and deliver finished garments to ports on time. With the RMG sector contributing more than 80 per cent of our export earnings, every delayed shipment could have serious consequences for the national economy.

The report says the country’s daily gas demand stands at around 380 crore cubic feet, while supply remains only 270-280 crore cubic feet, leaving a deficit of 100-110 crore cubic feet. The shutdown of one of the floating LNG terminals at Maheshkhali has further worsened the situation. Meanwhile, production in major industrial areas, including Gazipur, has reportedly declined by 50-60 per cent, while the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association estimates that most industrial units are operating at only 60-70 per cent of their installed capacity. These figures clearly demonstrate the severity of the crisis.

More concerning is the potential loss of buyer confidence. The country has long earned the trust of international buyers through competitive prices and timely delivery. If shipment deadlines are repeatedly missed, the buyers may shift their orders elsewhere, and regaining that confidence will be far more difficult. Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association estimates that production costs have already increased by at least 20 per cent, as many factories are being forced to rely on costly diesel or LPG or transport goods by air to meet delivery schedules. Concurrently, around 9,500 workers have reportedly lost their jobs at nearly 80 factories since January, leaving thousands of families facing growing uncertainty.

The government, therefore, must treat this crisis as an economic priority rather than a routine utility problem. Restoring adequate gas supply to export-oriented industrial zones should be the immediate focus. Authorities should also expedite repairs to LNG infrastructure, ensure uninterrupted operation of floating LNG terminals and strengthen coordination among Petrobangla, Titas and other relevant agencies. Regular updates on gas supply would help factories plan production more efficiently, while priority allocation to export-oriented industries during periods of acute shortages could minimise shipment disruptions.

However, emergency measures alone will not solve a crisis that has become structural. We urge the government to accelerate domestic gas exploration�"both onshore and offshore�"modernise transmission and distribution networks, reduce system losses, and diversify the country’s energy mix through renewable and alternative fuels. Also, industries should be encouraged to adopt energy-efficient technologies through fiscal incentives and easier access to green financing. Moreover, protecting the garment industry requires not only immediate action but also a long-term strategy to ensure that energy security never again becomes a threat to our export competitiveness.