In a scathing critique of the government’s handling of the ongoing energy crisis, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Shawkat Aziz Russell said industrialists in Bangladesh are not only losing their businesses but are themselves being systematically destroyed.
Drawing a chilling parallel to the targeted killings of intellectuals during the 1971 Liberation War, Russell remarked, “Back then, intellectuals were hunted down. In 2025, it’s not just industries—industrialists themselves are being killed.”
Russell made these remarks on Sunday at a joint press conference held at the Gulshan Club in Dhaka, organized by seven major business associations, including the BTMA, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), and others.
“There’s no gas in the industries. One factory after another is shutting down,” Russell warned. “Yet, our advisors are behaving like ostriches—with their heads buried in the sand—pretending everything is fine.” He further cautioned that the ongoing crisis could spiral into famine and social unrest. “If we can’t save the industries, people will go hungry—and they will take to the streets,” he said, expressing concern that factories may be unable to pay workers’ wages and bonuses ahead of the upcoming Eid due to the shrinking working capital caused by the gas shortage.
Mounting Frustration Over Broken Promises
Business leaders at the event criticized the government for offering only empty assurances in response to the worsening energy crisis. Despite repeated calls for action, they said, gas and electricity supplies remain unreliable.
The recent announcement of a 10-day government holiday during Eid was also met with concern. “The economy is in a fragile state. How can we afford such extended shutdowns?” they questioned.
“We’re Being Threatened—But Not Supported”
Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez highlighted the increasing pressure on factory owners.
“The government threatens us: ‘Pay your workers by this date or face action.’ But how? They won’t provide gas, they’ll raise interest rates, and still expect us to pay full utility bills,” he said.
“Even with gas pressure dropping to 1.5 or even zero, our meters are still running,” he added.
Parvez also slammed current banking policies, noting that businesses are being labeled loan defaulters after missing just three months of payments—something he said is nearly unavoidable under current production constraints.
Business Leaders Call for Urgent Energy Sector Reform
The trade leaders jointly demanded immediate structural reforms in the energy sector. They alleged that up to 12% of the country’s gas is being lost—or stolen—under the label of “system loss.”
To ensure a stable energy supply for industries, they urged the government to gradually phase out household gas usage and prioritize industrial needs. Additionally, they called for renewed efforts in domestic gas exploration to reduce dependence on costly imports and improve long-term supply security. The unified voice of Bangladesh’s leading trade bodies paints a stark picture of an industrial sector in crisis. Without urgent and decisive action, they warned, the very foundation of the country’s economy could face irreversible damage.