Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has requested the government of Brazil to provide duty-free access to Bangladeshi apparel products. The BGMEA chief made the request when Ambassador of Brazil to Bangladesh Joao Tabajara de Oliveira Junior met him on Thursday at its office. They discussed how Brazil and Bangladesh can reap mutual trade benefits through collaboration in the apparel and textile industry. READ: BGMEA seeks Germany’s support to continue duty benefits in EU Faruque apprised the envoy of the future priorities of Bangladesh RMG industry, with special focus on diversification in products, market and innovation in product development. He said Bangladesh is willing to import more cotton from Brazil for its ready-made garment industry and requested for cooperation from the Ambassador in this regard. “While Brazil has a huge pool of designers and experts, we have huge manufacturing capacity. Brazil and Bangladesh can work together in developing our capability in designing and manufacturing value-added products which can be exported to South American countries. It will benefit both Brazil and Bangladesh,” he added. READ: BGMEA wants Denmark's support to continue duty benefits in EU market They talked about scope of collaboration and support from Brazil especially in building capacity of Bangladesh’s RMG sector in design development for value-added apparel products.

The Sammilita Parishad on Tuesday announced its manifesto for BGMEA election for 2021-23 term.

Bangladesh has sought a two-year duty-free access for its readymade garment products to the US market as the coronavirus pandemic put the major export-earning sector in trouble amid cancellations of global orders.