The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Expressing deep concern over the concerned body's decision for curtailing gas supplies to the export oriented industries, leaders of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) yesterday demanded of the government to withdraw the decision, otherwise the country's most potential export sector might face a great disaster.

"We are stunned by the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company's decision for halting 40 percent gas supply to he Knitwear industries. If this situation is going on then this sector would incur a loss of $360 million" said Fazlul Hoque, president BKMEA at a press briefing at its office in the city yesterday.

Mentioning the potentiality and high rate of growth the BKMEA President said that the knitwear industries usually required uninterrupted gas supply for well finishing of its products dyeing.

He said that if the gas supply halted for at least six hours then the volume of daily production would be drastically reduced that would hamper timely shipment to the foreign buyers. And the quality of products could also not be possible to maintain, he added.

BKMEA president Fazlul Hoque said from last July to January of this year knitwear sector has earned $ 3014.60 million. He said that in last December the growth of this sector was 40 percent and it has surpassed to 68 percent in the first month of this year.

He said that the Titas authority did not even discuss with the owners of the export oriented industries while taking this decision on April 3.

He said that BKMEA is ready to discuss with the government in order to maintain the continuity of smooth knitwear products and exports to foreign countries.

He called upon the government to cooperate for supplying normal gas to the knitwear industries.

It was attended, among others, vice presidents Al-Haj Abdur Rashed, Dr Bahauddin Mohammad Yousuf, AKM Zahidul Hoq Bhuiya, Kashem Jamal and board of directors MA Rahman, Al-Haj GM Haider Ali, Mohammad Hatem and Masud Kader Mona, vice president of Garments Washing Industries Association.