The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said Bangladesh and Taiwan have great potential to complement each other for the development of the apparel and textile industries of the countries. The organisation made the observation when a delegation of the Taiwan Textile Federation (TTF) led by its President Justin Huang called on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Thursday. They discussed various issues of mutual interest regarding the apparel and textile industries. The two sides talked about how both associations could work together to build interactive connections between apparel and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and Taiwan to facilitate meaningful business interactions. Faruque said Bangladesh is the second largest exporter of readymade garments (RMG) in the world whereas Taiwan has a strong textile industry, particularly with considerable strengths in the non-cotton segment. Read more: Netflix Movie: BGMEA protests derogatory remarks on Bangladesh RMG sector Since Bangladesh is strongly focusing on shifting from cotton to non-cotton products and value-added products, Taiwan with its big textile industry producing man-made fibres, polyester filament, nylon fibre and other fabrics can meet the demand of Bangladesh's RMG sector, he added. Also, the BGMEA and TTF expressed interest in organising trade exhibitions to develop ties between RMG and textile businessmen of Bangladesh and Taiwan so that both sides can work together to create a win-win situation. BGMEA Vice-President Shahidullah Azim, directors Asif Ashraf and Abdullah Hil Rakib, Timothy WD Tso, director at TTF and Emily Chen of the Promotion Section at TTF were also present at the meeting.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has said the country's apparel industry has continued its efforts to explore new and promising markets like Japan and seize every available opportunity. BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said: "We have been carrying out apparel diplomacy and trade missions to find new opportunities for Bangladesh's RMG industry and realise untapped potential." Faruque made the observations while exchanging views with Hajime Suzuki, chief director of International Sales and Marketing at RX Japan, in Dhaka Monday (January 23, 2023). Kurena Watabe of RX Japan was also present. Read: RMG manufacturer CKDL partners with Singapore firm to ensure workers' financial wellness RX Japan is a leading exhibition organiser in Japan. The two sides discussed possible collaboration between BGMEA and RX Japan to initiate trade communication between businessmen in Bangladesh and Japan, particularly those involved in the fashion industry. Bangladeshi businessmen would be able to showcase strengths and capabilities by participating in apparel exhibitions in Japan while Japanese buyers and investors would get the opportunity to explore their trade potential in Bangladesh, they said. Read more: BGMEA, Jetro want to expand Japan-Bangladesh trade

The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) and The Asian University for Women (AUW) together Saturday (January 21, 2023) announced the launch of the "HSBC-AUW School of Apparel and Retail Management," a one-year master of science in apparel and retail management programme. The programme will be guided by a global academic committee chaired by Dipak C Jain, former dean of the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. He also served as the dean of INSEAD in France. The HSBC-AUW School of Apparel and Retail Management will prepare young female professionals with expertise in fashion, merchandising, supply chain management, brand management, and occupational health and safety issues, said a media statement Saturday. Read: Diesel import from India via pipeline from June: Nasrul Hamid The programme was launched at the "HSBC-AUW School of Apparel: Leading the Future of Fashion" at Chattogram hotel. Education Minister Dipu Moni sent a video message to the event. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury, AUW founder Kamal Ahmad, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President Faruque Hassan, former Denmark prime minister Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, US state department senior official Katrina Fotovat, The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam, and HSBC Bangladesh CEO Md Mahbub ur Rahman, joined the programme. Read: 5th BMCCI LegalTalk seminar on tax law, foreign investment held AUW Vice-Chancellor Rubana Huq said: "Today, the apparel industry in Bangladesh needs a homegrown talent pool, which will serve the needs of the sector. So, to prepare cohorts ready to take on the challenge of employability in Bangladesh, AUW is happy to launch the School of Apparel with HSBC Bangladesh." Amanda Murphy, head of commercial banking (South and Southeast Asia) at HSBC said: "The global apparel industry is evolving rapidly alongside emerging technologies, changing consumption patterns and an increasing focus on sustainability." "We are proud to partner with the Asian University for Women to launch the HSBC-AUW School of Apparel and the Masters programme to equip future talent with the expertise to drive continued innovation in Bangladesh's largest export industry. Importantly, this programme supports the professional and leadership development of women, providing better access to opportunities through inclusion and fostering long-term growth for Bangladesh and its communities." Read More: In the era of RMG, showcasing the Majestic Silks of Bangladesh Academic excellence, industry relevance and social significance would be the defining features of the programme. The graduates would be technologically savvy, have superior communication skills and gain up-to-date, contemporary knowledge and skills needed for apparel and retail management. Under the programme, 13 courses will be offered to students of AUW. And 50 students will be enrolled in the inaugural year. HSBC will help set up the school by designing Mac labs and providing support for curriculum and faculty, IT and class infrastructure and education materials. Read More: Bangladesh to become 9th largest consumer market globally by 2030: HSBC

A delegation comprising high officials of different ministries of the Nigerian government paid a visit to Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka Monday (January 16, 2023). The delegation included Abubakar Aliyu Aziz, director general of the National Identity Management Commission, MaskaUbale Ahmed Shehi, executive commissioner of the Communications Commission, Alhassan Haru, director of Communications Commission, and Roberts Moses Achanya, president of the Nigeria-Bangladesh Trade and Technology Forum. BGMEA Director Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Vice-President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan and Fakir Fashion Managing Director Fakir Kamruzzaman Nahid were also present. Read more: Bangladesh, Nigeria to explore possibility of signing framework agreement on FTA or PTA They had discussions about possible areas of collaboration between Bangladesh and Nigeria for bilateral trade benefits, particularly in the apparel and textile industry. Faruque said there is potential to import more cotton from Nigeria which is a cotton-producing nation. "Nigeria is also a potential market for Bangladesh's apparel export." He called upon the Nigerian government to reduce import duty on readymade garments (RMG) from Bangladesh and requested cooperation from the delegation in this regard. Read More: Bangladesh, Nigeria to explore possibility of signing framework agreement on FTA or PTA

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and SOWTEX have signed another memorandum of understanding (MoU) to increase the collaboration between Indian fabrics and value-added material suppliers and Bangladesh's apparel manufacturers. Namely, they aim to boost collaboration in man-made fibers and cotton-based materials using SOWTEX Phygital (physical and digital bridge) sourcing platform. The platform offers connection and facilitation support to the large textile supply chain from India and other countries. It will also create opportunities to increase Bangladesh's readymade (RMG) exports to India, the BGMEA said Thursday (January 12, 2023). Read more: BGMEA, IICCI, Sowtex team up to make textile sourcing easier for Bangladesh BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Sowtex Network CEO Sonil Jain inked the MoU in Dhaka on Wednesday. BGMEA Standing Committee on Press, Publication and Publicity Chair Shovon Islam was also present. SOWTEX and BGMEA are in the process of arranging collaborative roadshows in Indian textile clusters along with other textile associations with BGMEA's top manufacturing members and large Indian raw materials manufacturers in several cities in India. Expos have also been planned in Bangladesh to build up the momentum for this second round of collaboration. Read More: BGMEA signs deal to improve health status of RMG workers The exhibitions will play an important role in facilitating business interactions between Bangladeshi RMG exporters and Indian RMG, textile and raw materials suppliers and reaping mutual trade benefits, the BGMEA said.

PDS Limited, an India-based apparel buyer, has reiterated its interest in increasing sourcing garments from Bangladesh in coming years. Vice Chairman of PDS Limited Pallak Seth along with Group CEO Sanjay Jain called on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan in Dhaka on Tuesday and expressed the willingness of PDS in expanding business in Bangladesh said a press release. Read more: BGMEA signs deal to improve health status of RMG workers Shahed Mahmud, Country Director – Bangladesh, PDS Limited, was also present on the occasion. Earlier at the press conference of the Made in Bangladesh Week held in November 2022, the apparel buyer announced its plan of doubling sourcing from Bangladesh. PDS Limited was a valued sponsor of the Made in Bangladesh Week as “In Association With”.  PDS Vice Chairman Pallak Seth praised the outstanding achievements of Bangladesh’s RMG industry in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability and other social compliance that has brightened Bangladesh image internationally and strengthened its position as the safest and greenest apparel manufacturing hub in the global market. He also lauded the way Bangladesh’s RMG industry has made headway in terms of product diversification, manufacturing capacity building, productivity and efficiency enhancement, and technology upgradation. With such remarkable strides Bangladesh had been able to boost the confidence of global apparel buyers, he opined. Read more: Apparel shipments rose by 16% to $23bn during July-December: BGMEA BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said Bangladesh was committed to pursuing the growth of the RMG industry in a sustainable way so that it had a positive impact on the economy, people and the planet. Building on the achievements had made so far, the industry had continued its efforts to pursue excellence in order to retain its fame as a safe and sustainable apparel exporter in the world, he added.

Bangladesh's apparel exports reached $22.97 billion, growing 15.56 percent year-on-year, during July-December, the first six months of 2022-23 fiscal, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said Monday citing the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data. Knitwear accounted for $12.66 billion and woven garments accounted for $10.33 billion of the shipment, with a 13.42 percent and 18.29 percent growth year-on-year, respectively. "The Apparel industry fared well in December. With a 15.35 percent growth, December 2022 fetched $4.67 billion from readymade garments (RMG) exports, the highest in a single month ever recorded," BGMEA Director Md Mohiuddin Rubel said. Read: BGMEA delegation meets US State Department official to discuss RMG issues "If we consider the data of the calendar year, Bangladesh marked a new milestone in RMG export in 2022 amid geopolitical tension, global economic turmoil, and natural disasters. As per the analysis of the BGMEA, Bangladesh's RMG export reached $45.70 billion in 2022 with 27.64 percent growth compared to 2021." "The export earnings from knitwear was $24.71 billion while the earnings from woven was $20.99 billion, with both registering 26.11 percent and 29.48 percent year-on-year growth, respectively in 2022." Bangladesh exported goods worth $27.22 billion in the first six months of FY23, according to EPB. Read More: Bangladesh earned $27.22b from exports in July-Dec amid new records

Bangladesh has proposed zero tariff on finished apparel products — made with American cotton — being exported to the US. Bangladesh made the proposal at the 6th meeting of the US-Bangladesh Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) held in Washington DC on December 6. Compared to other countries, Bangladesh now pays the highest tariff on its apparel products exported to the United States, which profusely reduces Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the US market. Also read: US for increasing collaboration among stakeholders in Bangladesh RMG sector Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, and Christopher Wilson, Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) for South and Central Asia, led the Bangladesh and US delegations respectively at the meeting. The head of US delegation Wilson agreed to continue further discussion on the proposal made by Bangladesh. The Bangladesh side also included Labour Secretary Md. Ehsan-E-Elahi, Agriculture Secretary Md. Sayedul Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Muhammad Imran and high officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Commerce and the ICT Division. Read More: BGMEA delegation meets US State Department official to discuss RMG issues At the outset of the meeting, Deputy USTR Sarah Bianchi stepped in and welcomed the Bangladesh delegation to the 6th TICFA meeting in Washington. Sarah said that Bangladesh's socioeconomic strides have made the TICFA meeting more relevant than any other time for both countries.

Bangladesh's apparel shipment to US, the country's single largest export destination, rose 50.98 percent year-on-year to $7.55 billion during January-September this year, the US Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA) said. With an 8.54 percent export share, the country remained the third largest apparel import source for the US. In the first nine months of this year, the US imported apparel worth $69.27 billion from around the world, reporting a 34.61 percent rise year-on-year, according to OTEXA. Read: Bangladesh RMG industry emphasizes technologies to enhance competitiveness, transparency: BGMEA chief During January-September of 2022, US imports from China, the largest supplier of apparel to the North American country, grew 22.48 percent to hit $17.72 billion. At the same time, imports from Vietnam stood at $14.59 billion, posting an 18.51 percent year-on-year growth, OTEXA said. "While China and Vietnam had the larger share of the US' total apparel import, Bangladesh saw better export growth than these countries," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Md Mohiuddin Rubel said. Read More: Bangladesh seeks zero tariff on apparel exports to US at 6th TICFA meeting "This positive trend is a result of our management of the Covid situation and the post-Covid measures that we took. Also, we did well in the area of compliance. That is why the US sourced more from us. Also, the country shifted its sourcing focus from China to different countries, including Bangladesh," he added. Among the top 10 apparel suppliers to the US, imports from India, Indonesia, Cambodia, Pakistan, and South Korea grew 53.39 percent, 54.66 percent, 46.58 percent, 40.11 percent, and 39.61 percent per cent year-on-year, respectively. Read: Bangladesh’s exports crossed $5 billion in November raising hope of easing forex crisis, say official figures

The European Union's (EU) apparel imports from Bangladesh saw the highest growth among all the top exporter countries during January-August this year, Eurostat, the statistical office of the EU, said. During the first eight months of 2022, the EU imported clothing worth $67.18 billion from around the world, including $15.37 billion from Bangladesh. Bangladesh remained the second largest apparel import source for Europe with a 22.89 percent share of the EU's total apparel import.  The EU's apparel import from Bangladesh increased by 45.26 percent during the first eight months of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Read more: BGMEA wants increased police vigilance to stop RMG goods theft during transportation China, the top apparel import source for the EU, had 28.06 percent share, registering 26.59 percent year-on-year growth.  The EU's apparel imports from the country reached $18.85 billion in January-August this year. "While China had the larger share of the EU's total apparel import, Bangladesh saw better export growth than it," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Md Mohiuddin Rubel said. Turkey, the third largest source for the EU, posted 20.38 percent growth during the same period.  The EU's imports from the country grew by 16.97 percent. Also, the EU imported apparel worth $3.56 billion from India.  The EU's imports from the country grew by 28.85 percent compared to the previous year. Read more: Initiatives taken to establish fair price shops for RMG workers Other top countries having high growth were Cambodia 42.21 percent, Pakistan 31.34 percent, and Indonesia 35.41 percent. "Bangladesh's apparel has always done well in the European market. So far the import figure of the EU indicates a good position for Bangladesh's apparel in the market. Numbers from January to August indicate that the EU's imports from Bangladesh will maintain a positive trend till September," Rubel said. "However, it may slow down afterward as retail sales are already affected by geopolitical tension, global economic turmoil, and buyers being cautious about overstock and current production." Read More: Bangladesh seeks zero tariffs on apparel exports to US at 6th TICFA meeting