Garment buyers postpone trips amid political turmoil

Business Desk :

Global buyers of Bangladesh’s readymade garments have started cancelling scheduled visits and meetings in Dhaka due to growing security and political uncertainties, raising concerns that work orders for the next two seasons could be affected. Industry leaders warn that continued instability may push buyers to shift orders to competing countries, further affecting employment and export growth.

At a discussion in Dhaka,leaders from the garment, textile and allied sectors urged the government to stabilise law and order and restore buyers’ confidence. The view-exchange meeting, titled “Business Crisis and Negative Trend of Exports: Way Outs”, was held at Uttara Club and presided over by former BGMEA president Kazi Moniruzzaman.

Speakers highlighted on Monday, challenges including LDC graduation, proposed labour law amendments, factory closures, and rising unemployment. BGMEA president Mahmud Hasan Khan said the country is not ready for LDC graduation and stressed the need for a stable policy environment to maintain export competitiveness.

Former BGMEA president Faruque Hassan noted buyers’ growing concern over political instability, warning that export growth has been negative for the past three months.
Shovon Islam of Sparrow Group said four major buyers from the US, UK, and EU have already cancelled factory visits, opting instead for meetings in hotels, which limits their direct oversight of production.

Industry leaders also criticised the new provision allowing unions to form with just 20 workers, warning it could cause instability and invite outside interference.

They noted that around 258 factories have closed over the past year, displacing more than 100,000 workers. Speakers called for consistent policy support, improved port efficiency, and inclusion of business representation in the next national election to safeguard the industry’s future.