The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and HSBC Bangladesh have signed a strategic partnership agreement to promote the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry in new international markets, with a major apparel roadshow planned in Hong Kong to attract global buyers and diversify export destinations.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU), signed on Sunday at BGMEA’s headquarters in Uttara, aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the global apparel market amid evolving international trade dynamics and growing competition.
As part of the partnership, BGMEA and HSBC will jointly organise a large-scale apparel roadshow in Hong Kong, one of Asia’s leading business and sourcing hubs. The event is expected to bring together Bangladeshi garment manufacturers with international retailers, brands and sourcing partners, creating opportunities to expand exports beyond the country’s traditional markets in Europe and North America.
The collaboration will also support BATEXPO, Bangladesh’s flagship textile exhibition, helping local manufacturers strengthen engagement with global buyers and showcase the country’s growing manufacturing capabilities.
The MoU was signed by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and HSBC Bangladesh Chief Executive Officer Mohammad Mahbub ur Rahman.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Mahmud Hasan Khan said HSBC’s extensive international banking network and strong relationships with global apparel buyers would help Bangladesh access companies that currently source little or no apparel from the country.
“We will leverage HSBC’s global network to invite international buyers who are not yet sourcing significantly from Bangladesh to the Hong Kong apparel roadshow. This initiative will help expand our export footprint and create new business opportunities for our manufacturers,” he said.
Mahbub ur Rahman described the ready-made garment industry as the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy, saying the sector continued to offer significant growth potential.
“The banking sector has maintained a deep and long-standing relationship with Bangladesh’s garment industry. HSBC wants to remain a committed partner in supporting the sector’s future growth,” he said.
He noted that international brands are increasingly diversifying their sourcing destinations and emphasised the need for in-depth research into changing global sourcing trends to help Bangladesh remain competitive.
Mahbub ur Rahman also urged BGMEA to identify three to five strategic priorities to increase Bangladesh’s share of the global apparel market, improve supply chain efficiency and strengthen sourcing opportunities. He said HSBC would work closely with BGMEA at both the policy and international business levels to help implement those priorities.
BGMEA Director Shah Raeed Chowdhury said the partnership would create a platform to promote Bangladesh more effectively on the global stage and enhance the country’s visibility among international buyers.
According to BGMEA, the initiative has three key objectives: exploring new export markets through the Hong Kong roadshow, strengthening Bangladesh’s position in global supply chains by creating new sourcing opportunities, and showcasing the country’s manufacturing capabilities, modernisation efforts and commitment to sustainable growth.
The signing ceremony was attended by BGMEA Senior Vice-President Enamul Haque Khan, directors Shah Raeed Chowdhury, Jowardar Mohammad Hosne Komar Alam and A.B.M. Shamsuddin, chairpersons of various BGMEA standing committees, and Mohammad Ashfaquur Rahman, Head of Global Supply Chain, Corporate and Institutional Banking at HSBC Bangladesh, along with other senior officials from the bank.