BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has reiterated the need for strengthening diplomatic efforts to boost bilateral relationship with the USA and expand trade and business between the two countries.
“Newer challenges will emerge for Bangladesh in the post-LDC period as the trade facilities currently being enjoyed by the country will no longer be available after the graduation. In such context, Bangladesh needs to step up its diplomatic efforts in our major export markets like the USA to create enabling environment to expand our trade,” he said on Wednesday.
He made the remarks while exchanging views with Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA M Shahidul Islam in Washington D.C on Tuesday during a lunch hosted by the envoy in honor of the BGMEA President and the delegation.
BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Director Abdullah Hil Rakib, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy Ferdousi Shahriar, and Commercial Counsellor at the embassy Md Salim Reza were present also at the meeting.
The BGMEA delegation apprised the envoy about the present situation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, its challenges, and the areas where the sector is working to enhance its competitiveness in the coming days.
Diversification in products, especially shift to non-cotton and high-end product segment, market diversification and innovation in product development and process optimization are some of the priorities for the industry, they said.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan sought support and cooperation from the Bangladesh Embassy in promoting bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the USA, especially increasing garment exports to the US market.
He also called upon Ambassador Shahidul Islam to assist in attracting investment from US businessmen and non-resident Bangladeshis in textile industries in Bangladesh.
The BGMEA leaders paid homage to those who had made supreme sacrifices for the cause of their mother tongue---Bangla – in front of Shaheed Minar on the embassy premises, said the BGMEA.
They also paid tributes to Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in front of his memorial at the Embassy.