BTMA backtracks on shutdown move

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has temporarily suspended its plan to shut spinning mills from February 1, following assurances from the government that the problems facing the spinning sector will be addressed through consultations with stakeholders.

The decision comes after a high‑level consultative meeting at the commerce ministry on Tuesday.

The meeting, chaired by Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, reviewed the challenges faced by the readymade garment and textile sectors, with particular emphasis on the spinning industry, according to a statement from the BTMA.

The commerce adviser acknowledged the validity of the concerns raised by industry stakeholders and underscored the strategic importance of the spinning sector in Bangladesh’s export competitiveness and industrial value chain.

He reaffirmed a strong commitment to resolving the issues through lawful, equitable, and time‑bound policy measures in line with existing fiscal and regulatory frameworks.

Earlier, at a press conference on January 22, the leaders of the BTMA, a platform of the country’s primary textile sector, announced that millers would keep their spinning units shut from February 1 if their demands were not met within the stipulated time.

The millers demanded that the government implement the commerce ministry’s proposal to withdraw the duty‑free import facility of 10 to 30 count yarn, as cheap Indian yarn has been affecting the $25 billion invested domestic primary textile sector.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) is yet to implement the commerce ministry’s proposal, although BTMA leaders have repeatedly urged the government to withdraw the bond facility for yarn imports from India.

Tuesday’s meeting was attended by senior government officials, including the NBR chairman, commerce secretary, representatives of the Bangladesh Trade and Tariff Commission, and the finance division.

Leaders from the BTMA, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association were also present.

The commerce adviser said an inter‑ministerial coordination meeting involving all relevant stakeholders will be held on February 3 at the Finance Division to resolve the current crisis in Bangladesh’s spinning sector.