DHAKA, Jan 20, 2023 (BSS) - Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi today sought duty 
free benefits from the United States of America (USA) in importing cotton.

"Bangladesh is the second largest exporter of Ready-made Garments (RMG) in 
the world. About 82 percent of Bangladesh's total exports come from RMG. The 
USA is a major cotton producer. Every year, Bangladesh imports a huge amount 
of cotton from different countries for use in garment factories. If the USA 
grants Bangladesh duty-free trade facilities for the import of cotton for use 
in RMG factories, it will benefit our industry," he said.

Tipu said this while speaking as the chief guest at the "4th Global Cotton 
Summit Bangladesh-2023" organized by Bangladesh Cotton Association (BCA) in 
collaboration with Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at Hotel 
Radisson Blue Water Garden in the city, said a press release.

In his speech, Tipu said Bangladesh needs nine million belts of cotton to 
export RMG to the world market. 

Out of this, only 1,50,000 belts of cotton are produced in the country and 
the production is about 1.6 percent of the total demand, he added.

He said, "Bangladesh has to import the remaining huge amount of cotton from 
different countries. Bangladesh is making efforts to increase cotton 
production in the country. More efforts will be made in the coming days."

Tipu mentioned that if Bangladesh wants to export RMG worth US$ 100 billion 
in the next two years, a huge amount of cotton will be required.