Political unrest is making Bangladesh's readymade garment exporters worried. They fear losing orders. International buyers usually place most of their orders at this part of the year. A country-wide blockade has been launched by the opposition party. Exporters feel such a blockade will disrupt supply chain of imported raw materials and hamper production and cause shipment delays.

Because of the turmoil, workers have not been able to readymade garment factories, especially those located in the capital. Political unrest led buyers to cancel orders worth in 21 days of December 2013. Several factory owners have urged the ruling party as well as other political parties to shun confrontational politics to let the economy grow at the desired rate needed for becoming a middle income country by 2021.

In the meanwhile a decision has been taken to transport outbound readymade garment products to Chittagong port under police escort during the countrywide blockade to ensure timely shipment, and to bring raw materials from the port city. At one time, before the blockade, the increasing numbers of international orders, boosted by ebbing worries on regulatory incompliance and a stable political front, promised a rewarding 2015 for garment makers.

But now hopes are dimming again. Other challenges facing the industry are an inadequate supply of gas and power and poor infrastructure.