The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) on Thursday announced that all textile mills across the country will be shut down indefinitely from February 1, citing the government’s failure to take effective measures to protect local yarn-producing mills. BTMA President Shawkat Aziz Russell made the announcement at a press conference held at the association’s office in Kawran Bazar, Dhaka, in the presence of senior BTMA leaders. “We have decided to close the factories from February 1 out of sheer compulsion,” Russell said. “Even if we sell all our properties, it will not be possible to repay the debts,” he added. BTMA leaders at the press conference warned that without immediate policy support and industry-friendly decisions, the textile sector could slide into a deeper crisis.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 22, 2026 19:14 UTC