Strongly protesting the latest gas price hike, the Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) has urged the government to keep the current rate.
The platform of some 2,000 small and medium accessories makers in a statement on Thursday said the 'abrupt' hike in gas price would squeeze competitiveness of the industry that is facing multiple challenges.
They have been running business activities amid economic recession with less work orders and are not getting payment also.
"Such an 'unusual' hike would make the current situation so complex that industries would lose their competitiveness," said the BGAPMEA in its reaction.
They are also failing to repay bank loans, it added.
In an official order on Wednesday, the government increased gas tariff to Tk 30 per cubic metre for small and cottage industries, and captive, small and merchant power plants from Tk 10.78 and Tk 16 respectively.
Big industries are to pay bigger gas bills by 150.41 per cent to Tk 30 per cubic metre from the previous Tk 11.98 for the same.
The new rate will be effective from February.
The BGAPMEA further said that all export-oriented industries largely depend on their sector for accessories and packaging goods.
It has thus requested the government to review the decision and reinstate the previous rate.
