Clothing producers to set up power plants

29 Mar '11

2 min read

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has started exploring a possibility to set up small area-based power plants to cater to the needs of the industry.

Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina recently called for setting up such power plants to meet industry demand. She also offered financial support at very low interest rates for this purpose.

The BGMEA responded quickly. Taking an initiative in this direction, it announced beginning a technical assessment for setting up small and area-based power plants very soon. It will make technical assessment to set up a separate power distribution system for the RMG units too.

In Bangladesh, total demand for electricity in the garment sector is just 710 megawatt (MW) but due to shortages and inefficient distribution, the supply is interrupted frequently.

Informing media about this initiative, BGMEA President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin told that the RMG entrepreneurs would be keen to set up small power plants provided the electricity produced by them, would be supplied to the RMG units only.

He demanded separate assessment of power needs for readymade garments units. He told that power requirement of RMG units located in Malibagh, Uttara, Mirpur, Badda, Ashulia, Savar, Narayanganj and old Dhaka, needed to be assessed separately.

The post-recession period has created new opportunities for the country. To get maximum benefits of these opportunities, the industry requires more electricity. Bangladesh has set a target to of US $18 billion for apparel exports by the end of this fiscal.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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