The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has identified Uruguay as a potential "gateway" for expanding Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports into the influential South American trade bloc, Mercosur.
The observation was made during a meeting on Thursday between BGMEA leaders and the Ambassador of Uruguay to Bangladesh, Alberto Guani, at the BGMEA complex.
The meeting led by BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan, the discussion focused on bilateral trade, investment opportunities, and mutual cooperation to address the challenges following Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
"While Bangladesh holds the position of the world’s second-largest garment exporter, our footprint in the Latin American market remains limited," said Enamul Haque Khan. He urged for greater cooperation to boost garment exports to Uruguay and beyond.
BGMEA Director Shah Rayid Chowdhury emphasized that Uruguay’s strategic location makes it an ideal entry point for Bangladeshi products into the Mercosur region, which includes major economies like Brazil and Argentina.
In a move toward reciprocal trade, Ambassador Guani expressed Uruguay's interest in importing more apparel from Bangladesh. In return, he proposed the export of Uruguay’s world-class wool famed for its "traceability" standards to Bangladesh.
Mustafa Kamrus Sobhan, the Honorary Consul of Uruguay in Bangladesh, highlighted that Uruguayan Merino wool carries international traceability certifications.
He noted that incorporating this high-quality wool would help Bangladeshi manufacturers become more competitive in the global luxury apparel market.
BGMEA Director Sheikh Hossen Mohammad Mostafiz added that importing wool from Uruguay would allow Bangladesh to diversify its product range, further strengthening its position in the Latin American market.
To turn these discussions into action, the following steps were proposed:
Trade Delegation: BGMEA Director Shah Rayid Chowdhury proposed sending a high-level trade delegation to Uruguay.
Official Invitations: Ambassador Guani informed the leaders that Uruguay has already requested the Bangladesh Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send a delegation, suggesting BGMEA play a central role.
Visa Simplification: BGMEA leaders stressed the importance of simplifying the visa process to facilitate smoother business travel between the two nations.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing a strong commitment to working together to unlock the untapped potential of the Bangladesh-Uruguay trade relationship.