The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) has urged the government to immediately withdraw a provision in the new Import Policy Order for 2026-29 that bans the import of knit fabrics.
In a letter to the Commerce Minister on September 2, signed by BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, the trade body expressed concern over sub-clause 12 of provision 25 of the policy, which states: “Knit fabrics shall not be importable.”
According to the letter, during previous consultations with industry stakeholders, the authorities acknowledged that the restrictive provision had been included inadvertently and assured the industry that it would be removed.
However, the restriction was retained in the official gazette published by the ministry on August 24, 2026.
The BKMEA president said the ongoing severe gas crisis has significantly disrupted domestic textile mills and fabric production.
Local manufacturers are currently unable to meet the volume requirements, specialised technical standards and design variations demanded by international buyers, making the import of raw materials unavoidable.
Moreover, several garment exporters had already opened letters of credit (LCs) for raw knit fabrics before the gazette was published. Many of the shipments have already arrived at Chittagong Port, while others are still in transit, the letter said.
The BKMEA warned that enforcement of the ban would halt customs clearance, causing shipment delays, financial losses and cancellations of export orders.
To maintain production and meet buyers’ commitments, the association urged the government to immediately suspend or repeal the provision.
