A delegation from the US Embassy in Dhaka met with Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at the Uttara BGMEA Complex on 13th August, to discuss the potential establishment of a cotton warehouse near Chittagong Port. The initiative aims to speed up cotton imports from the United States and reduce lead times in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) exports.
The US delegation included Labor Attaché Leena Khan, Foreign Commercial Service Attaché Paul G. Frost, and Foreign Agricultural Service Attaché Erin Covert. Representing BGMEA were Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan, Vice Presidents Md. Rezwan Selim, Mizanur Rahman, Bidiya Amrit Khan, and Directors Mohammad Abdur Rahim, Faisal Samad, and Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz.
The discussions focused on a recent US executive order allowing garments exported from Bangladesh that use at least 20 percent US raw materials to qualify for a partial exemption from the additional 20 percent tariff imposed by the United States. Mahmud Hasan Khan welcomed the move, noting that Bangladesh’s RMG industry is eager to take advantage of the opportunity. BGMEA leaders emphasized the need for a transparent and traceable evaluation process to implement the exemption effectively.
In addition to US cotton, BGMEA officials expressed interest in importing man-made fibers, including polyester and nylon, and requested the US Embassy’s support to obtain detailed information. Paul G. Frost assured that the embassy would coordinate with the relevant US departments to provide the necessary guidance.
The meeting also covered potential collaboration with the US Cotton Council, engagement with the US Textile Department, and Bangladesh’s energy situation, including future prospects for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US. The embassy advised BGMEA representatives to attend the Select USA conference in May, organized by the US National Initiative, to strengthen business networks and expand RMG exports to the US market.
The US officials highlighted that the international community, including the ILO and the European Union, expects Bangladesh to continue reforming labor laws in line with global standards. Mahmud Hasan Khan briefed the delegation on recent legal reforms and reiterated that maintaining stable labor conditions in the RMG sector remains a top priority. Since taking office, the BGMEA leadership has been actively engaging with 81 labour federations to foster sound industrial relations.
