The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Monday dismissed reports that several garment factories, including those of DBL Group, had shut down due to gas and electricity shortages, describing the claims as “false and baseless.”
In a statement, the apparel exporters’ body said recent reports published by some media outlets, online news portals and circulated on social media had created unnecessary confusion about the state of the country’s garment industry.
BGMEA acknowledged that garment manufacturers are facing severe gas and power shortages but said most member factories have managed to keep between 60 and 70 percent of their production capacity in operation with government support.
The association also clarified that some factories have adjusted their weekly holidays to coincide with the upcoming public holiday on Aug 5 and the regular weekend. Such schedule adjustments, it said, are a routine operational measure adopted during periods of gas shortages and should not be interpreted as factory closures.
BGMEA warned that publishing unverified reports about factory shutdowns could create concern among international buyers, sourcing partners and investors, potentially undermining confidence in Bangladesh’s largest export industry.
The association said misleading information could damage the sector’s hard-earned reputation and threaten the livelihoods of millions of workers who depend on the readymade garment industry.
Calling the apparel sector the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, BGMEA urged media organisations and all stakeholders to verify information carefully and ensure objective reporting on developments affecting the country’s export-oriented garment industry.