Bangladesh’s textile millers on Monday demanded the withdrawal of yarn imports through land ports, citing concerns over illegal and misdeclared entry of garment raw materials due to inadequate monitoring.

They also opposed any increase in gas prices, urging the government to set rates below Tk 20, and called for a reduction in bank interest rates.

The demands were made at a press conference held by the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at Gulshan Club in Dhaka.

During the conference, BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell accused Indian textile millers of dumping yarn and fabric in Bangladesh at below-cost rates, creating unfair competition for local producers.

He argued that the low prices of imported yarn and fabric, coupled with ongoing issues like poor gas supply and high bank interest rates, are making it difficult for local mills to operate at full capacity.

Russell warned that if the illegal import of yarn continues, the textile sector could face a similar fate as the country’s jute mills.

BTMA president said, ‘We have already requested the government to stop importing yarn through land ports and impose anti-dumping duties on Indian yarn.’

‘They have already taken our jute industry, and now they are planning the same for textile and garment sectors,’ he alleged.

Responding over anti-dumping duty imposition, he said that while other countries can make quick decisions, Bangladesh government is slow to act.

‘We have no issue doing business with India if imports are made through seaports, as these are adequately equipped to ensure proper checks and balances,’ Russel said.

He demanded the suspension of imports through land ports until the capacity of those ports is enhanced to prevent false declarations of yarn imports.

He urged the interim government to take steps to investigate the dumping of Indian yarn.

Despite a rise in garment exports, local yarn is being stockpiled, with an estimated value of up to Tk 80 billion to Tk 100 billion. Meanwhile, imports through land ports are increasing due to false declarations, he alleged.

BTMA vice-president Saleudh Zaman Khan Jitu claimed that the Indian government has been providing state assistance to its textile millers by offering a subsidy of 11 rupees per kilogram of yarn under the name of Roadtap.

He added that due to the ongoing gas crisis, local mills are operating at only 50 to 60 percent of their capacity, reiterating the demand for a reduction in gas prices to below Tk 20.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has proposed a rate of Tk 75.72 per cubic meter for industrial and captive power users beyond their permitted load, up from the current Tk 30.

During the conference, BTMA director Razeeb Haider questioned whose interests are being served by encouraging LNG imports when gas reserves are available underground.

He warned that the textile and garment industry cannot survive relying on LNG imports and proposed that mills surrender their keys instead of participating in the upcoming BERC hearing scheduled for February 26.

BTMA vice-president Md Abul Kalam also called for a reduction in bank interest rates to stimulate investment in the sector.