A 2-day national branding event, “Best of Bangladesh Europe” started at Wastergas in Amsterdam on Monday.
Over 1000 European visitors, including representatives from brands and retailers, are expected to attend the ‘Best of Bangladesh’ in the two days.
The event has been organised by Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE), with support from the Bangladesh Embassy, Commerce Ministry and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh, according to a press statement.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi; Michiel Sweers, vice minister of Foreign Economic Relations, Kingdom of the Netherlands; State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam; Md Siddiqur Rahman, former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); M Riaz Hamidullah, ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands; Leslie Johnston, chief executive officer, Laudes Foundation; Pallak Seth, founder and vice chairman, PDS Limited; and Mostafiz Uddin, founder and chief executive officer, Bangladesh Apparel Exchange attended the inaugural ceremony of the ‘Best of Bangladesh’.
“Bangladesh has travelled so far in the past half-century. People’s aspiration, innovation and resilience have reached us to a stage of stability and robust growth after the country emerged from a brutal War of Independence.” Tipu Munshi said.
Michiel Sweers said “On behalf of the government of the Netherlands I welcome you all and thank you for choosing Amsterdam as the location of Best of Bangladesh. I believe dialogues here in the Best of Bangladesh will accelerate the momentum of sustainable business.”
State Minister Shahriar Alam said “The presence of the best of our entrepreneurs under one roof in Westergas displays innovation of our private sector. They are increasingly keen to step into many other sectors. As much as business, they are here also to tap into niche technology or innovation with the Dutch or European peers.”
Prof Jan Peter Balkenende, minister of state and former prime minister of the Netherlands, in his video message, emphasised the cooperation for sustainable growth between the Netherlands and Bangladesh.
At the inaugural event, three Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for the development of the industries of Bangladesh.
The 1st MoU was signed between Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and the Eindhoven International Project Office (EIPO). The 2nd one was signed between Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and Apparel Impact Institution and the 3rd one was signed between Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and Oxfam.
More than 35 companies from various fields, including apparel, textiles, agriculture, handicrafts, and other sectors, participated in the initiative.
