Garment Factories to Observe One-Day Closure Following Khaleda Zia’s Death

Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector will observe a nationwide one-day general holiday on Wednesday following the death of former Prime Minister and Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia. The decision has been taken in alignment with the government’s declaration of three days of state mourning and a national holiday in honour of the late leader.

The announcement was made on Tuesday afternoon (30 December) through an official press release issued by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). The notice was signed by BGMEA’s Acting Secretary, Major (Retd) Md Saiful Islam, and circulated among all member factories across the country.

According to the statement, Begum Khaleda Zia—who served as Prime Minister of Bangladesh on three separate occasions and remained one of the most influential figures in the nation’s political history—passed away at approximately 6:00 am on Tuesday. In response to her demise, the government proclaimed three days of state mourning and declared a one-day public holiday as a mark of respect.

Expressing solidarity with the government’s decision, the BGMEA formally requested all its member garment factories to suspend operations on Wednesday. The organisation noted that the closure symbolises collective respect from the country’s largest industrial sector towards a leader whose policies and leadership played a pivotal role in shaping Bangladesh’s economic trajectory.

In a separate condolence message issued on the same day, BGMEA expressed profound sorrow over the passing of Begum Khaleda Zia. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan described her death as an irreplaceable loss for the nation, stating that the entire garment industry family stands deeply shocked and saddened.

“Bangladesh has lost a guardian-like leader and a timeless patriot,” he said. “The void created by her departure in national life is impossible to fill. Her sincere commitment to the expansion of the readymade garment industry on the global stage, along with her timely and courageous policy decisions, will remain enduring milestones in the sector’s history.”

The statement further highlighted that Begum Khaleda Zia played a leading role in placing Bangladesh’s economy on a strong foundation and opening the path towards modern industrialisation. During the early 1990s, under her government’s decisive leadership, Bangladesh embarked on a full-fledged journey towards a free-market economy—an economic shift that unlocked unprecedented opportunities for private sector growth. This transition proved particularly instrumental in the rapid expansion of the garment industry, which has since emerged as the backbone of the country’s export economy.

BGMEA concluded its message by offering prayers for the eternal peace of the departed soul and extended heartfelt condolences to her bereaved family, supporters, and the nation at large.

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