DHAKA, Aug. 27 -- The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought soft loans from the country's interim government to cope with the losses incurred due to the recent domestic situation and ongoing devastating floods.

BGMEA President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam sought the loan when meeting with Finance and Commerce Adviser to the interim government Salehuddin Ahmed here on Tuesday.

The BGMEA chief said they made a nine-point demand to the interim government including cash support of 18 billion to 19 billion taka (around 158 million U.S. dollars) for one month to help them pay workers' wages and cope with the losses.

Islam said the adviser assured them of extending his highest cooperation.

He said the country's ready-made garment factories could not operate in full swing for weeks due to the political chaos earlier this month and current situations including severe flash floods.

Bangladesh has emerged as a significant player in the global garment industry, securing its position as the second-largest garment exporter worldwide after China. The South Asian country has some 3,500 garment factories which account for about 85 percent of its around 62 billion U.S. dollars in annual exports, supplying many of the world's top brands.

According to the BGMEA, 80 percent of some 4 million workers employed in the ready-made garment factories are women.

  - Xinhua