Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Thursday called on Indian High Commissioner to expedite and facilitate trade through the land ports, including Benapole, in order to reduce time and cost.
The trade body also called for easing travel procedures including visa and resuming flights especially for business people from Bangladesh.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the requests during a meeting with High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Vikram K Doraiswami who paid a courtesy call on BGMEA leaders at its office in city.
BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, directors Asif Ashraf, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Tanvir Ahmed, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Dr Binoy George, and Commercial Representative of the High Commission Dr Pramyesh Basall were also present at the meeting.
Bangladesh and India has ample scope to work together for obtaining mutual benefits, the BGMEA president said adding “There are huge opportunities for Bangladesh and India to complement each other in boosting apparel and textile business in both countries."
They had discussions about existing problems in export-import especially in RMG and textile industry and possible ways to address them.
They also discussed potential areas of further collaboration between Bangladesh and India to reap mutual trade benefits.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said: “While Bangladesh relies on India for import of raw materials including machinery, cotton, yarn, fabric, chemicals, and dyes, India is a potential RMG export market for Bangladesh. Indian domestic apparel market is growing and Bangladesh can tap the opportunity. So, there lies reciprocal trade benefits for both Bangladesh and India.”
The BGMEA leaders sought the cooperation of the Indian High Commissioner in exchanging knowledge and expertise in apparel and textile industry.
Bangladesh RMG industry is focusing more on production of valued-added apparel items and innovation in product development and process optimisation.
India has a huge pool of designers and technical experts and exchange of knowledge and expertise will benefit both countries, Mr Hassan noted.
