Bangladesh garment exporters are facing problems in transporting goods to the port due to a blockade enforced by the opposition party. The number of vans carrying readymade garment products to the Chittagong port for shipment has almost halved. Though the police have provided escort in transporting goods to and from the Chittagong port, most exporters and transport owners are not willing to transport goods as they on previous occasions have experienced arson attacks and vandalism despite having the protection.

Apparel manufacturers fear the current political instability might lead to huge loss for the sector through shipment delay and cancellation of orders. Exporters have already started to face shipment delays, order cuts and cancellations due to the political turmoil. They feel that if the problem continues, global buyers will decrease the volume of orders. In fact, many American buyers have stopped visiting Bangladesh. That means owners of companies in Bangladesh have to go abroad to negotiate orders.

Exporters say the transportation of goods under police protection is a piecemeal solution and that the export business requires a stable situation. In a normal situation about 600 trucks carrying readymade garment goods ply to the Chittagong port every day.