The government has released Tk 10 billion as second instalment of the cash incentives for exporters for the current fiscal year, 2023-24.
Finance ministry issued a notification to this end on Monday.
According to the notification, the second instalment has been released against overseas sales of export-oriented local textiles, frozen shrimp and other fish, leather products and other approved sectors.
A special 1.0 per cent cash incentive has been earmarked for ready-made garment (RMG) products.
The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) the same day wrote to the ministry with a request to disburse Tk 40 billion of the same in dues by December.
BKMEA executive president Mohammad Hatem in the letter said most factories were starved of sufficient work orders due to global recession.
On the other hand, factories are using up to 60 per cent of their production capacity mainly because of the 'severe gas crisis', according to him.
Factories could not make timely shipment due to gas shortages, he said, adding that most of the units do not have the ability to implement the new wage structure for the 'abnormal' hike.
Such a situation has thus developed concerns about timely disbursement of wages, which might cause labour unrest, according to Mr Hatem.
The BKMEA letter cited that Tk 17-billion incentive of the last fiscal remained pending while the first instalment of the current fiscal released Tk 14 billion.
More than Tk 40-billion cash incentive claims have remained pending, according to the letter.
The BKMEA leader said seeking a special measure to release the money within December.
Responding to a question, Mr Hatem said the government allocated cash incentives of Tk 78.25 billion for local exporters excepting those in the jute sector for FY24.
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