STAR BUSINESS REPORT

Textile millers yesterday urged the interim government to reduce gas prices to less than Tk 20 per unit from the current rate of Tk 31 per unit and to bar yarn imports through land ports, reasoning that it was essential to safeguard the sector.

They said they have been operating at half their capacity due to inadequate gas pressure in the supply lines, and were finding it difficult to compete with cheap yarn imported from India.

The requests came at a press conference organised by Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at Gulshan Club in Dhaka.

The millers warned that if the requests were not met, they might have no option but to ask Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to run their factories.

BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell said the capacities of textile mills remain underutilised despite the fact that garment export orders were increasing.

Usually, when there is an increase in garment work orders from international clothing retailers and brands, the demand for home-spun yarn and fabrics also increases, he said.

However, although the work orders are increasing gradually, sales of yarn have not been increasing this time around, he said.