In a meeting with Shahidullah Azim, Vice President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), a delegation from the Uzbekistan Textile and Garment Industry Association (UZTEXTILEPROM) discussed potential collaborations to foster mutual trade benefits in the apparel and textile sectors. Focusing on identifying areas for trade and investment, the meeting signified a growing interest in inter-regional cooperation within the global textile industry.
The UZTEXTILEPROM delegation included key figures such as Mukhammadsaidov Bakhtiyor, Head-Department of the Textile, Garment and Knitwear Industry, Ministry of Investment, Industry and Trade; Sherzod Akbarov, Head of Department, UZTEXTILEPROM; and Mehdi Mahbub, Advisor, UZTEXTILEPROM. Their presence underscored the importance Uzbekistan places on strengthening international partnerships in this vital sector.
During the discussion, the Uzbek delegation presented an overview of their nation's textile and garment industry, emphasizing its significant competitive advantages. A key highlight was Uzbekistan's strategic geographical location, offering close proximity and easy access to Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. This access to a substantial market presents a compelling proposition for potential partnerships. To further explore these opportunities, the UZTEXTILEPROM representatives extended an invitation for a business delegation from BGMEA to visit Uzbekistan.
In turn, Azim highlighted Bangladesh's evolving focus on product diversification, particularly in high-value man-made fiber (MMF)-based garments. He emphasized Bangladesh's proactive efforts to penetrate new export markets, specifically citing the CIS region, which boasts an estimated $55 billion apparel market. Azim proposed a collaborative approach, inviting the Uzbek delegation to work together to explore avenues for Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) exports to CIS markets via Uzbekistan. This strategic alliance could leverage Uzbekistan's established access to the CIS bloc, creating a mutually beneficial trade corridor for both nations.
