TDS Desk:

The ongoing flash floods that have devastated 77 upazilas across 11 districts have placed the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) exporters in a dire situation. Containers have been piling up at the Chattogram port, which is now completely cut off from the rest of the country due to the floods.

Exporters have voiced concerns over the severe disruption to business caused by the disconnection of both rail and road links between Dhaka and Chattogram over the past four days.

Md Absar Hossain, managing director of Top Star Fashions Ltd and a Chattogram-based businessman, highlighted the severe challenges they are facing.

“Vehicles cannot move on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway, particularly in Feni and Cumilla, due to the floods. As a result, products for export and import are piling up at both ends, leading to significant financial losses,” said Absar, who is also a director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in the Chattogram region.

He noted that more than 30,000 containers are currently stranded at the Chattogram port. “Our production process is being severely disrupted. If the water is not cleared from the highways, our business will suffer greatly. We urgently need government support in this regard,” he added.

Md Mohiuddin Rubel, additional managing director of Denim Expert Limited, remarked, “The floods struck just as we were trying to recover from the traffic jams at the ports caused by the anti-discrimination movement. Now, we face another transportation crisis due to the flooding.”

He continued, “We do not know when the situation will normalise. If it doesn’t, our business costs and damages will escalate. Unfortunately, this is a natural disaster, and it was completely unexpected.”

Mohiuddin, who is also a director of BGMEA, stressed the need to boost competitiveness in the international market. “We must take proactive measures to mitigate the impact of such disasters. Developing alternative routes and ports, as well as strengthening crisis management teams, could help us overcome these challenges.”

Mohammad Hatem, executive president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), told that all export and import activities have been disrupted since Thursday.

“Buyers are pressuring us to deliver products by air, as the floods have rendered roadways impassable. The ongoing floods will have a significant impact on our export earnings,” he added.

Information and Broadcasting Affairs Adviser Md Nahid Islam on Thursday accused India of opening a dam without issuing any prior warning, which he claims caused the floods in Bangladesh. He criticised India’s actions as non-cooperative and inhumane.

The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry reported on Saturday that 18 people have died, and over 4.9 million people have been affected as floods have inundated 77 upazilas in 11 districts.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the country’s overall exports totalled US$55.56 billion in the fiscal 2022-23, with garments accounting for 84.58% of all export receipts.

Mohiuddin also noted that the global apparel market has seen significant changes, with a 9.62% decline, bringing the total market value down to $520.62 billion from $576 billion in 2022.

Despite these challenges, Bangladesh remains the world’s second-largest clothing exporter after China. However, Bangladesh’s share in the global apparel market has slightly decreased from 7.87% in 2022 to 7.38% in 2023, with the export value dropping by 15.32% to $38.40 billion.