Leaders of Bangladeshโs two largest apparel trade bodies met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Monday, urging stronger policy support, uninterrupted energy supply and measures to sustain the countryโs export competitiveness as the ready-made garment sector navigates mounting global and domestic pressures.
The delegation from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) paid a courtesy call on the prime minister at the Cabinet Division office inside the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka, according to officials from the Prime Ministerโs Office.
During the meeting, the business leaders discussed the current state of Bangladeshโs ready-made garment and knitwear industries, future export opportunities and the challenges affecting factory operations and trade expansion, Prime Ministerโs Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said.
Senior government officials, including Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon, PMโs Adviser and spokesperson Mahdi Amin and Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar, were also present.
The apparel sector, which accounts for more than 80% of Bangladeshโs export earnings, has been facing rising production costs, energy shortages and increasing pressure from global buyers demanding faster lead times and greater sustainability compliance. Industry leaders told the premier that uninterrupted gas and electricity supply has become critical for maintaining production schedules and shipment commitments.
BGMEA and BKMEA leaders also sought easier customs procedures, faster release of export proceeds from banks and support for reopening factories that remain shut due to financial stress.
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BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan reportedly emphasized the need for export diversification and stronger policy backing to help the sector remain competitive amid a slowing global economy and evolving trade dynamics. Industry insiders say Bangladeshโs garment manufacturers are increasingly focusing on higher-value apparel products, man-made fiber garments and sustainable manufacturing practices to retain market share in Europe and North America.
Bangladesh remains the worldโs second-largest apparel exporter after China, but manufacturers have recently warned that inconsistent energy supply and logistics bottlenecks could affect production capacity and delivery performance. Earlier this year, BGMEA leaders said factories in major industrial belts such as Gazipur and Ashulia were experiencing production losses of up to 30% due to gas and electricity shortages.
The meeting with the prime minister comes at a time when the new administration under Tarique Rahman is engaging with key business stakeholders to accelerate economic recovery, improve the investment climate and strengthen export-oriented industries.
Since assuming office in February, Rahmanโs government has signaled plans to reduce regulatory burdens, reform taxation and improve logistics infrastructure to attract investment and support industrial growth.
Trade analysts said the interaction between the government and apparel industry leaders reflects the strategic importance of the RMG sector to Bangladeshโs economy, employment and foreign exchange earnings. The sector employs more than four million workers, most of them women, and remains one of the countryโs largest industrial employers.
Bangladeshโs garment exporters are also preparing for major changes in the global trading environment as the country moves toward graduation from the United Nationsโ Least Developed Country (LDC) category in 2026. The transition is expected to reduce some trade preferences currently enjoyed by Bangladeshi exporters in international markets, increasing pressure on manufacturers to improve productivity, compliance and operational efficiency.
Industry representatives have repeatedly urged the government to continue providing policy incentives, infrastructure support and financing assistance to ensure a smooth transition during the post-LDC period. Recent meetings between BGMEA leaders and senior ministers focused on sustaining export growth, maintaining global competitiveness and strengthening long-term economic resilience.
Officials familiar with Mondayโs meeting said the prime minister assured the business leaders that the government would continue working closely with the apparel sector to address operational challenges and support export growth, recognizing the industryโs central role in Bangladeshโs economy.
The discussions also highlighted the growing importance of sustainability, energy efficiency and industrial modernization as Bangladesh seeks to strengthen its position in the global apparel market amid rising competition from regional manufacturing hubs.