Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Thursday called on the 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 businesspeople from Bangladesh, according to a statement.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the requests during a meeting with Indian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Vikram K Doraiswami, who paid a courtesy call on the BGMEA leaders at its office in the city.
The BGMEA president said, "There are huge opportunities for Bangladesh and India to complement each other in boosting apparel and textile business in both countries."
Both the parties had discussions about existing problems in export-import, especially in RMG and textile industry, and possible ways to address them, added the statement.
They also discussed potential areas of further collaboration between Bangladesh and India to derive mutual trade benefits.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said: "While Bangladesh relies on India for import of raw materials including machinery, cotton, yarn, fabrics, 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," added the BGMEA president.
The BGMEA leaders sought the cooperation of the Indian high commissioner in exchanging knowledge and expertise in the 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 the countries, Mr Hassan noted.
BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, directors Asif Ashraf, Md Mohiuddin Rubel, Tanvir Ahmed and Abdullah Hil Rakib, Deputy High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh Dr Binoy George, and commercial representative of the high commission Dr Pramyesh Basall, among others, were also present at the meeting.
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