Bangladesh gas and power crisis puts 202 factories at risk of shutdown

Acute gas and electricity shortages are crippling production at 413 factories across Bangladesh, with 202 at risk of complete shutdown within one to two months if disruptions continue, according to an Industrial Police (IP) assessment.

The review, covering 10,063 factories through Aug. 31, found 195 facing shortages of both gas and electricity, while 115 were struggling with gas alone. More than 150 factories were operating at just 10% to 50% of normal capacity.

Utility disruptions that began July 21 have already halted 18 production units at 17 factories. Outside the IP assessment, Keya Group laid off 627 workers in Gazipur on Sept. 8.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Mahmud Hasan Khan said about 2,000 member factories were facing gas and power problems. Commerce secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan said liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports could ease the crisis by late September or early October.