China mulls bonded warehouses in Bangladesh, BKMEA seeks tech collaboration
Mike Gee, president of the Textile and Garment branch, Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh, and the head of the Chinese delegation, said the relationship between the two countries was of collaboration and not competition.
Representatives from the China Enterprise and Association in Bangladesh (CAB) are actively pursuing collaboration to establish bonded warehouses in Bangladesh.
CAB, representing 36 Chinese institutions and organisations, seeks to bolster trade ties and streamline operations within Bangladesh's industrial landscape.
During a meeting held on Monday (22 April) with leaders from the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Chinese leaders emphasised the mutual benefits of cooperation in the knitwear industry for both nations.
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BKMEA leaders also expressed their desire for China's cooperation across various fronts, including knowledge sharing and assistance for technological advancements in the knitwear and textile sectors.
The Chinese delegation, led by CAB, comprised representatives from key entities such as the China Textile Engineering Society, China National Garments Association, Donghua University, and China National Textile and Apparel Councils.
A prominent Chinese textile and garment branch president voiced support for establishing bonded warehouses in Bangladesh. They indicated plans to engage in discussions with the Chinese government while seeking cooperation from the Bangladesh government through dialogue with BKMEA.
In a proactive move, BNMEA Vice President Akhtar Hossain Apurba, on behalf of BKMEA President AKM Salim Osman, proposed joint ventures with China spanning bonded warehouses, factory operations, and the establishment of eco-friendly villages in Narayanganj's Shanti Char area.
Another BKMEA Vice President Fazle Shamim Ehsan highlighted the knitwear sector's focus on technological advancements and extended an invitation to the Chinese delegation to set up factories in Bangladesh equipped with the latest technologies associated with the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Mohammad Rashed, also a BKMEA vice president, underscored the significance of bonded warehouses and technological collaboration between the two countries, expressing confidence in strengthening Bangladesh and China's positions as leading garment exporters.
The meeting extensively deliberated on trade and investment opportunities, with both sides underscoring the imperative of enhanced cooperation.
Wang Zheng, director of the China Textile Engineering Society, emphasised the necessity of mutual cooperation for development, citing the substantial workforces in both Bangladesh and China.
Yang Xiaodong, vice president of the China National Garment Association, hailed the meeting as a promising step towards further growth, stressing the importance of knowledge sharing and collaboration.
Discussions also shed light on the crucial role of higher education in the clothing and textile sector for both Bangladesh and China, with an emphasis on exchanging technological advancements from China, a key point raised by Bangladeshi representatives
