The worsening gas crisis has emerged as a serious threat to Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries, particularly the ready-made garment (RMG) and textile sectors, which are the backbone of the country’s export earnings. Reports that hundreds of factories in Gazipur, Narayanganj and Greater Dhaka are operating at only 35 to 40 percent of their capacity should be a matter of the highest concern for the government.
The disruption has become more severe following the shutdown of a floating LNG terminal off Maheshkhali after the recent fire. With national gas supply reportedly falling below 2,150 million cubic feet per day against demand of around 3,800 mmcfd, the existing supply deficit has widened dramatically. Industrial units dependent on gas-fired boilers and machinery are being forced to reduce production or remain idle for long periods.
This is not merely an industrial problem. It is an economic emergency that could directly undermine Bangladesh’s foreign exchange earnings, employment and macroeconomic stability. The RMG sector alone accounts for more than 80 percent of the country’s export earnings and provides direct employment to millions of workers. Any prolonged disruption could cause shipment delays, higher production costs, order cancellations and a loss of confidence among international buyers.
The government therefore cannot afford to treat the present crisis as a temporary inconvenience. Immediate measures are needed to restore adequate gas pressure to industrial areas, particularly export-oriented factories. The repair of the damaged LNG terminal must be pursued with the highest possible urgency, while available gas supplies should be allocated rationally to sectors that generate exports and employment.
At the same time, the government must explore every feasible short- and medium-term option to increase gas availability. In this context, the reported proposal to import gas from neighbouring Myanmar through a pipeline deserves serious and urgent consideration. If Myanmar is willing to supply gas and the technical, commercial and diplomatic conditions are favourable, a pipeline-based arrangement could provide Bangladesh with an additional source of supply and help ease the crisis relatively quickly.
The government should therefore expedite discussions with Myanmar and examine the proposal from every technical, economic and strategic perspective. Any arrangement must, of course, ensure reliability, competitive pricing and long-term energy security. But given the gravity of the current situation, negotiations should not be allowed to move at a bureaucratic pace.
At the same time, Bangladesh must not become excessively dependent on imported energy. The present crisis has once again exposed the risks of relying heavily on imported LNG while domestic gas exploration remains inadequate. Accelerating exploration of new gas fields, developing alternative energy sources and expanding LNG infrastructure are essential for long-term energy security.
The government must act on both fronts—address the immediate shortage and build a resilient energy system for the future. Bangladesh’s RMG industry cannot remain competitive if factories cannot operate at full capacity. The time for piecemeal responses is over; the government must act decisively now to restore gas supplies, protect export orders and safeguard the country’s principal source of foreign earnings.
