Dhaka, Feb. 20 -- The country's apparel makers have warned that restrictive measures on imported cotton yarn could trigger a staggering US$ 2.4 billion annual cost shock for the country's export-oriented apparel sector and put up to 0.4 million jobs at risk.

They have urged the government to adopt a phased 10-year transition roadmap, sources said.

In a letter sent on February 16 to the Ministry of Finance, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said any abrupt curbs on yarn imports under HS codes 5205-5207 would sharply raise production costs, erode competitiveness, and destabilise Bangladesh's $40-billion ready-made garment (RMG) industry.

According to a cost-shock simulation presented by the trade body, if imported yarn faces higher prote...