Walmart eager to work more closely with BD: Salman
FE REPORT | Friday, 16 February 2024
World-renowned retail chain Walmart has expressed interest in deepening its engagement with Bangladesh, according to Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman.
Mr Rahman said the country's garment and other industries are experiencing a swift turnaround after weathering the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, says a press release.
The remarks came following his meeting with Walmart's Executive Vice President Andrea Albright at Mr Rahman's Gulshan office in Dhaka. Walmart's Vice President for Global Affairs and Business Diplomacy Paul Dyck was also present.
The Walmart delegation expressed a desire to diversify its sourcing from Bangladesh, noting the newly formed Awami League government's focus on stability and economic development under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's leadership.
Mr Rahman proposed collaborations with Bangladeshi businesses to expand the range of products sourced, including processed agro-food, electronics, pharmaceuticals, packaged spices, jute products, and man-made fibre-based RMG.
Andrea Albright, Walmart's executive vice president, commended Bangladesh's RMG sector for its global reputation.
"Walmart has been a long-standing importer of clothing from Bangladesh. While purchase orders declined somewhat during the pandemic and war, I am confident they will now increase the purchase and explore the new products discussed today," he added.