United News of Bangladesh

The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has called for duty-free access to the United States market for ready-made garment (RMG) products manufactured using US cotton. In a recent letter to Gary Adams, President and CEO of the National Cotton Council of America (NCCA), BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell requested support in securing zero-duty access for such products. A copy of the letter was also shared with Eric Geelan, Political Counsellor at the US Embassy in Dhaka. Russell urged the permanent withdrawal of the current 37 percent tariff imposed on Bangladeshi garments under the US counter-tariff regime, highlighting that this would foster mutual trade benefits. Bangladesh needs secure cotton sources to maintain export flow, avoid trade war risks: Experts He said granting duty-free access would not only benefit Bangladesh’s RMG sector but also boost US cotton exports. In 2024, Bangladesh imported approximately $270 million worth of US cotton, accounting for around 12 percent of its total cotton imports. Russell expressed optimism that this figure could increase four- to fivefold in the near future. The appeal comes shortly after the US administration, in a 9 April announcement, temporarily suspended additional tariffs for 90 days for 75 countries, including Bangladesh. Russell said, “This 90-day period has created an important opportunity for strategic diplomacy and negotiations,” while urging for a permanent lifting of additional duties. As part of its strategy to deepen the use of US cotton, BTMA is planning to set up a central warehouse in Bangladesh dedicated to storing US cotton, which would then be used for exports to the US and other international markets. The BTMA President reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening bilateral trade ties with the United States. To that end, a 12–13 member BTMA delegation is scheduled to visit the US soon, aiming to engage in high-level discussions with American policymakers and private sector representatives to advance the issues raised in the letter.  

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.