26/05/2026
1,200+ factories shut down or running at half capacity.
Behind every closed gate is a worker who lost income. A family that lost stability. A woman who lost her only source of economic independence.
Bangladesh Bank's Tk 60,000 crore stimulus package is the most significant industrial lifeline this country has seen in years. And it arrives at exactly the right moment.
According to Bangladesh Bank's own data, liquidity shortages and adverse business conditions — not poor management or bad products — are the primary reason these units closed. That means they can come back. The capacity is there. The workers are there. What was missing was capital.
As an industry leader, I am calling for:
→ Priority access within the refinancing facility for factories that were operational before closure
→ A fast-track assessment process so reopening does not take months of paperwork
→ Special attention to women-owned and women-employing manufacturing units
→ Coordination between Bangladesh Bank, Finance Ministry, and the Entrepreneurs to identify which units are viable for immediate revival
We cannot afford to let this package be absorbed only by those who already have strong banking relationships.
The factories that closed quietly deserve a loud, urgent response.