Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturers have called upon Thailand to allow duty-free access for garments products and invest in the country’s readymade garments industry.
The request was recently made to the visiting high-powered delegation of Thai businessmen with the view to boost apparel business with the aim of US $ 50 billion target by 2021.
The 15-member Thailand delegation called upon officials of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA) at BGMEA Complex, Dhaka, on September 17 to discuss bilateral trade issues.
Manu Sithiprasasana, Deputy Executive Director (Administration), International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD), led the Thai delegation. From Bangladesh side, BGMEA Senior Vice-President Faruque Hassan and Vice-President (Finance) Mohammed Nasir were present. AHM Shafiquzzaman, joint secretary of the commerce ministry, also marked the event.
Faruque Hassan emphasised on the importance of regional cooperation and intra-regional business. While stressing on the need for a more cooperated regional trading, he also said that Bangladesh is currently an ideal place for investment.
Mohammed Nasir highlighted the green revolution of Bangladesh’s apparel sector and the tangible transformation the country has achieved over the past years to gain confidence as having among the most compliant factories.
He said Bangladesh’s apparel makers and exporters were interested in exporting garment items to Thailand. He requested Thailand, via the business delegation, to consider a duty-free access for Bangladesh’s garment products. He also called upon the business delegation to invest in Bangladesh’s apparel sector – especially in synthetic yarn and fabrics.
The visiting Thailand delegation lauded the developments achieved in Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector. They informed BGMEA that they visited Bangladesh to understand first-hand its climate of business, expansion and investment.
Commerce Ministry’s Additional Secretary Shafiquzzaman said, Bangladesh Government believes this tour of Thai delegation has ushered a new era of bilateral business expansion between the two countries. He urged all to seize the opportunity and make most out of it.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
