DHAKA, Sept 14, 2023 (BSS) - Jeremy Bruer, Australian High Commissioner to
Bangladesh, today met Faruque Hassan, President of the Bangladesh Garment
Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and discussed trade
opportunities.

BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Directors Abdullah Hil Rakib,
Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Neela Hosna Ara, Chair of BGMEA Standing
Committee on Press, Publication and Publicity Shovon Islam, Chair of BGMEA
Standing Committee on RSC Nafis-Ud-Doula, and Chair of BGMEA Standing
Committee on Trade Fair Mohammed Kamal Uddin were present at the meeting.
 
Mahbub ur Rahman, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh; Joshua Gacutan, Second Secretary
(Economic); and Nitol Dewan, Trade and Economic Development Manager at the
Australian High Commission, were also present at the meeting held at BGMEA
Complex in the capital's Uttara.
 
The meeting was marked by fruitful discussions on mutual interests and
potential collaborations in grasping trade opportunities between Bangladesh
and Australia.

Both sides had discussions regarding a range of topics, including avenues for
enhancing bilateral trade between the two nations, said a press release.
 
They also delved into the means of strengthening partnership and expanding
trade and investment in areas of high potential.
 
One of the key points discussed in the meeting was the continuation of
Australia's duty-free market access to Bangladesh in the post-LDC period, for
which the BGMEA President expressed his gratitude.
 
Bangladesh's keen interest in the Australian market, particularly in
exporting high-end fashion items, and the potential to increase its imports
of cotton and wool from Australia for its readymade garment sector were also
highlighted in their discussion.
 
Faruque extended his appreciation to Australia for its ongoing support in
Bangladesh's journey towards development.
 
He highlighted the significance of Australia as a promising market for
Bangladesh's apparel exports.
 
He also underscored the importance of fostering industry connections between
Australian suppliers of raw materials, such as cotton and wool, and
Bangladesh's RMG sector.
 
Faruque thanked the Austrian High Commissioner for extending his cooperation
in organizing the first-ever Bangladesh Apparel Summit in Melbourne on July
18 this year.
 
The summit played an important role in bringing closer a wide range of
stakeholders of the RMG industry including buyers, retailers, suppliers,
consumers, development partners and others, creating a good opportunity for
fruitful discussions.