Citing severe disruptions in factory production caused by an acute gas and electricity crisis, the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has urged the government to allow garment manufacturers to pay their gas and electricity bills for July and August in 12 equal monthly installments rather than a single lump sum.

BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem formally submitted the request in a letter addressed to Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood on August 9, seeking his immediate intervention and necessary directives.

He disclosed the information to reporters on Saturday.

According to the letter, production at most industrial units across the country was severely hampered during July and August due to the intense energy shortage.

In particular, the suspension of gas supplies via open cylinders or cascade cylinders left many factories unable to maintain normal operational output.

Faced with the risk of total operational shutdowns, loss of export orders, threats to workers' employment, and business disruption, many factory owners were forced to procure alternative fuels such as diesel and LPG with direct cash payments.

The letter noted that these unexpected additional expenses were not included in the factories' projected production costs.

BKMEA highlighted that while production volumes dropped drastically due to the power and gas crunch, manufacturing costs surged significantly as a result of using alternative energy sources.

Consequently, paying the accumulated gas and electricity bills in a single payment has become extremely difficult for industrial enterprises.

The trade body emphasised that granting extended time and installment options to clear these dues would help offset the financial strain on factories, enabling them to sustain production and export operations while safeguarding workers' employment.

In his letter, Mohammad Hatem reiterated that providing the 12-month installment facility for the July and August utility bills is essential to keep export activities operational, maintain foreign exchange earnings, and protect jobs.

Copies of the letter were also forwarded to the Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, the Chairman of Petrobangla, and the Managing Directors of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), and Dhaka Electricity Supply Company (DESCO).