BGMEA, TEXPROCIL to collaborate on Indo-Bangla trade

Bangladesh and India perceive great potential in boosting bilateral trade, particularly in the ready-made garment and textile sector, through government collaboration and business interactions between the two nations' traders, said Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan.

The BGMEA president made the remarks while exchanging views with a delegation of the Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL) at BGMEA complex on Saturday, read a press release.

“With growing middle-class population India is a highly potential market for Bangladesh’s RMG exports and we have witnessed significant growth in recent times. Bangladesh is also a promising market for Indian cotton, man-made fibres, dyes, chemicals and other raw materials,” he said.

“Hence, we see apparel and textile are potential sector to complement each other and get reciprocal benefits,” he further said.

The delegation led by TEXPROCIL Chairman Sunil Patwari paid the visit to BGMEA president to discuss challenges and opportunities to pave the way to more trade between the two neighboring countries.

Faruque stressed the need for facilitating more business interactions between the apparel and textile exporters of Bangladesh and India to explore opportunities, thus meeting mutual needs.

He also called on the governments to remove trade barriers and build adequate infrastructure and transport facilities in land ports to accommodate increased transportation demand.

In the meeting, BGMEA and TEXPROCIL agreed to collaborate in paving the way for more business between Bangladesh and India.

BGMEA president thanked the government of Bangladesh for allowing apparel exporters to import yarns from India in partial shipment through Benapole, Bhomra, Sonamasjid and Banglabandha land ports.

Earlier, RMG exporters could import yarn through the Benapole land port under the bonded warehouse facility but they were not allowed partial shipment.

BGMEA Standing Committee Chair on Trade Fair Kamal Uddin, BGMEA Standing Committee Chair on Cash Incentive Humayun Kabir Salim, TEXPROCIL Executive Director Dr Siddhartha Rajagopal and Joint Director Murali Balkrishna were also present at the meeting.