BGMEA president Mahmud Hasan Khan raised the issue with US ambassador to Bangladesh, Brent T Christensen during a meeting at the association’s office in Dhaka.

Following the US-Bangladesh trade agreement signed recently, trade body BGMEA sought a clarification on how duty-free access for garments produced using American cotton will work in practice.
The Office of the USTR is working on the mechanism, US envoy to Bangladesh Brent T Christensen responded.
BGMEA also called for US investment in his country’s energy sector to support the expanding industrial base.

The Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) is working on the mechanism now, Christensen responded.

The agreement, he hoped, would boost American cotton exports to Bangladesh, according to domestic media reports.

The meeting also discussed business uncertainties arising out of recent tariff volatility. Christensen expressed confidence that stability would return soon.

Khan also called for US investment in his country’s energy sector to support the expanding industrial base. As a short-term solution, he suggested US investment in LNG infrastructures, while in the long term, he deemed US technology and investment necessary to enhance domestic gas exploration and extraction.

Christensen said US investors would be interested if Bangladesh adopts a stable, long-term energy policy.

The meeting also included detailed discussions on labour law and the proposed new labour ordinance.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

The increase was recorded in both urban and rural areas, which saw rises of 1.12 per cent and 1.17 per cent MoM respectively.

Vietnam’s consumer price index rose by 1.14 per cent month on month (MoM) in February as prices increased in most major groups of goods and services, official statistics show.
On an average, CPI increased by 2.94 per cent YoY in the first two months this year.
The country’s index of industrial production rose by 10.4 per cent YoY in the first two months of the year, driven by manufacturing.

On an average, CPI increased by 2.94 per cent year on year (YoY) in the first two months this year.

The transport sector’s price index fell by 3.48 per cent during the two months, reducing the overall CPI by 0.35 percentage points, largely due to a 9 per cent decline in petrol and oil prices.

Meanwhile, the country’s index of industrial production (IIP) increased by 10.4 per cent YoY in the first two months of the year, driven by manufacturing.

The growth rate was significantly higher than the 7.5-per cent increase recorded in the same period last year. Despite fewer working days in February due to the Lunar New Year holiday, overall industrial performance was resilient.

Industrial production in February alone was estimated to decline by 18.4 per cent MoM, largely reflecting the holiday period, an NSO release said. However, output still edged up by 1 per cent YoY, suggesting that the underlying momentum in the industrial sector was intact.

Manufacturing and processing continued to play the central role in driving the country’s industrial expansion. The strong performance reflects both improving domestic consumption and steady demand from export markets.

Several manufacturing industries recorded particularly robust growth during the period.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

The partnership will implement a strategic road map titled ‘From Factory Nation to Innovation Nation – Reimagining Bangladesh Apparel 2030’.

The Bangladesh Brand Forum (BBF) and trade body BGMEA recently signed an MoU to reposition the apparel industry as a modern, sustainable and innovation-driven one in the global market by 2030.
BBF will provide strategic branding consultancy, knowledge support and enhance BGMEA’s visibility across platforms.
BGMEA will offer industry data, expert inputs and active participation from its member factories.

Both sides will work to reshape the global narrative of Bangladesh’s apparel industry and promote it as a responsible and green manufacturing hub.

The major components of the MoU include formulating and executing a global branding and communication strategy for the repositioning; establishing a dedicated Innovation Lab at BGMEA to engage young innovators in solving key industry challenges; and launching a Leadership Academy to enhance the skills of mid- and senior-level industry professionals, with a special focus on nurturing women leadership.

These also include organising youth festivals, campus ambassador programmes and national competitions to encourage talented students and young innovators to pursue careers in the apparel sector; producing knowledge reports and case studies highlighting the success of environmentally friendly factories and supporting the achievement of US Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and facilitating direct linkages between green factories and Japanese brands, and jointly developing a global sustainable fashion brand with designers from both countries.

BGMEA members will be offered insights into modern branding, retail and digital marketing practices through participation in BBF’s summits and regular knowledge-sharing platforms, according to domestic media reports.

BBF will provide strategic branding consultancy, knowledge support and enhance BGMEA’s visibility across national and global platforms.

BGMEA will contribute industry data, expert inputs and active participation from its member factories.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)