Chinese delegation meets BGMEA leaders to explore investment
FE REPORT | Monday, 8 July 2024
A Chinese business delegation met local garment sector leaders on Sunday to explore investment opportunities and expand business horizons between Bangladesh and China in the textiles and apparel industry.
Led by Huang Liansheng, managing director of China Textile Industrial Corporation for Foreign Economic and Technical Cooperation (CTEXIC), the 15-member delegation held talks with leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at its headquarters in Dhaka's Uttara.
BGMEA was represented by its President S M Mannan (Kochi), vice presidents Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Abdullah Hil Rakib, and Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, and directors Md Ashikur Rahman (Tuhin), Shams Mahmud, Rajiv Chowdhury, Abrar Hossain Sayem, Md Jakir Hossain, Md Nurul Islam, Md Rezaul Alam (Miru), M Ahsanul Hoq, Mohammed Rakib AL Naser and Md Absar Hossain.
Providing an insightful overview of Bangladesh's thriving apparel industry, Mr Kochi highlighted its strategic shift towards producing high-value woven and man-made fibre (MMF) garments.
"Bangladesh's strategic location, political stability, growing infrastructure and logistics make it a promising destination for business and investment," he remarked.
Local entrepreneurs have invested significantly in upgrading technology to enhance production capabilities and efficiency in manufacturing high-end, complex garments, he added.
The BGMEA leaders underscored the potential for Chinese investment in high-end textiles and backward linkage industries in Bangladesh, which would offer mutual benefits for both countries.
They also called for China's support in enhancing capabilities through the exchange of knowledge and technical expertise.
Huang Liansheng, Managing Director of CTEXIC, explained the delegation's purpose for the Bangladesh visit, emphasising their interest in assessing the business and investment environment and policies of the country.
A BGMEA statement quoted him as saying, "We are pleased to witness significant improvements in the working environment in Bangladesh during our visits to various factories. The workers here demonstrate a positive and energetic attitude."