Leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and a delegation from the Overseas Chinese Association in Bangladesh (OCAB) have discussed ways to expand Chinese investment, promote technology transfer and strengthen cooperation in Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector.
The discussions took place at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara on Saturday, according to a BGMEA press release.
The meeting, chaired by BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan, focused on attracting Chinese investment to the garment and backward linkage industries, facilitating factory acquisitions and joint ventures, promoting sustainable manufacturing, and accelerating technological modernisation.
A 13-member OCAB delegation, led by its President Felix Chang Y.C., attended the meeting. The BGMEA delegation included Vice-Presidents Md Rezwan Selim, Vidya Amrit Khan and Md Shihab Uddoza Chowdhury, along with several directors.
Both sides discussed opportunities for Chinese investors to establish joint ventures with Bangladeshi manufacturers and invest in financially distressed or closed factories through full or partial acquisitions.
The meeting also highlighted the need to simplify customs and bonded warehouse procedures, reduce bureaucratic delays, speed up customs clearance of machinery and imports, and implement an effective one-stop service to lower the cost of doing business.
The two sides also explored cooperation in sustainability initiatives, including circular fashion, renewable energy and carbon emission reduction, by leveraging Chinese green technologies and expertise.
Discussions further covered factory automation and the adoption of artificial intelligence-driven manufacturing technologies to improve productivity and strengthen the industry’s competitiveness.
During the meeting, the OCAB delegation expressed interest in exploring carbon trading opportunities in Bangladesh. It also proposed introducing an exchange scheme under which outdated jacquard machines used in the sweater sector would be replaced with modern equipment.
However, the delegation said customs-related complexities and administrative delays were hindering such initiatives and sought BGMEA’s support in addressing the issues.
In response, BGMEA leaders said they would raise the regulatory issues with the National Board of Revenue and other relevant government agencies. They also said many local entrepreneurs were interested in partnering with Chinese investors in both operational and closed factories and that the association would work to facilitate such partnerships.
BGMEA leaders said the association was already working to promote circularity, renewable energy and sustainability in the garment sector and saw scope for greater Chinese investment and technical collaboration in these areas.
They added that Bangladesh was increasingly focusing on high-value apparel and sustainable manufacturing, and that stronger cooperation with Chinese businesses could help enhance the competitiveness of the country’s garment industry.
OCAB President Felix Chang praised Bangladesh’s garment industry and expressed his organisation’s interest in expanding investment and technical cooperation in the sector, the press release said.