US Embassy delegation meets BGMEA president to boost trade ties

A delegation from the US Embassy in Dhaka met on Monday with Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), to discuss expanding bilateral trade and increasing Bangladeshi garment exports to the US market.

The meeting, held at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka, focused on a recent US executive order granting proportional duty exemptions for Bangladeshi garments that use at least 20 percent US-sourced raw materials, said a press release.

BGMEA leaders welcomed the move and sought clarity on how US input levels would be calculated and verified.

The BGMEA team, including Senior Vice President Inamul Haq Khan and Vice Presidents Md Rezwan Selim, Mijanur Rahman, and Vidiya Amrit Khan, also proposed setting up a warehouse near Chattogram Port to speed up cotton imports from the United States.

They further expressed interest in importing man-made fibers such as polyester and nylon, if available from US producers.

The US delegation, led by Labour Attaché Leena Khan and Foreign Commercial Service Attaché Paul G Frost, said they would consult US government agencies to provide details on raw material supply and explore collaboration with the US Cotton Council.

Labour rights and energy issues were also on the agenda.

BGMEA president briefed the delegation on ongoing reforms to strengthen worker welfare and industrial harmony, noting that his board has engaged in dialogue with 81 workers’ federations.

The US side underscored the importance of aligning Bangladesh’s labour laws with international standards.

The embassy encouraged BGMEA to join SelectUSA, a US investment promotion event scheduled for May 2026, as an opportunity to expand exports and connect with American buyers.

Both sides expressed optimism about deepening economic cooperation in the coming years.