Photo : Collected

DHAKA, Nov 4, 2025 (BSS) - A high-level delegation of the US cotton exporters met with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan today at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara to discuss expanding bilateral trade and enhancing collaboration in the textile and apparel sectors.

The meeting, organized by Cotton USA, focused on increasing the use of US cotton in Bangladesh's apparel industry and exploring opportunities arising from the newly announced US tariff facilitates on garments produced with American raw materials.

The U.S. delegation included Li Yin (ECOM), Krista Rickman (Cargill), Diego Lozada (LDC), Wesley Rentz (Olam Agri), Wayne Boseman (Carolina Cotton Growers Association), Chris Jones (Staplcotn Cooperative), and Will Bettendorf and Ali Arsalan from Cotton Council International (CCI).

BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan and Director Nafis-ud-Daula also attended the meeting, said a BGMEA press release.

Discussions centered on the US executive order that offers partial tariff exemptions for garments exported to the US if at least 20 percent of the raw materials used are sourced from the United States.

"The new tariff exemption offers a tremendous opportunity for our industry to become more competitive in the global market," BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said. 

However, he added that the association has yet to receive detailed procedural guidelines on how Bangladeshi spinners and factories can avail the benefit.

He urged the U.S. delegation to help expedite clarification from the U.S. administration so that Bangladeshi entrepreneurs can take timely steps to utilize the facility.

Mahmud Hasan Khan noted that currently about 10 percent of Bangladesh's imported cotton comes from the U.S. and this could be doubled or tripled with strategic initiatives and better understanding of its advantages. He suggested conducting joint studies highlighting the quality and comparative benefits of U.S. cotton to encourage greater use among local spinners and manufacturers.

The U.S. representatives welcomed the proposal and expressed their willingness to work jointly to promote awareness and capacity building.

They also pointed out some procedural challenges in trade documentation for cotton exports to Bangladesh and sought BGMEA's support in addressing them. In response, the BGMEA President requested that specific issues be shared in writing so that the association could raise them with the Ministry of Commerce for prompt resolution.

Representatives from Cotton Council International praised Bangladesh's apparel sector for its strong global standing and emphasized that U.S. cotton-renowned for its sustainability, consistency, and high quality-could further enhance the competitiveness of Bangladeshi exports under the new tariff regime.

Both sides also discussed logistical and infrastructure improvements to streamline cotton imports, including the possibility of establishing a dedicated warehouse in Bangladesh to reduce lead time for the industry.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ensure transparency and traceability in measuring the use of U.S. raw materials under the new tariff rules.

BGMEA requested technical assistance and training from U.S. cotton exporters to enhance factory productivity and efficiency. The association also invited collaboration with the BGMEA Innovation Centre to conduct joint research on improving production and reducing waste in textile mills.

Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade and deepening economic partnership between Bangladesh and the United States.