‘Relaxed duty can boost the apparel market in the US’

The business of the apparel industry can grow more in the USA market if the duty is relaxed.

Mohammed Ali Khokon, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, said this at a virtual seminar in Dhaka to celebrate the fifth Cotton Day-Bangladesh on Monday organised by Cotton USA.

"The USA is a big market for our readymade garments. We have noticed that the use of USA cotton in Bangladesh has been gradually increasing in the last five years. We think our garment industry business will grow more in the USA if the duty is relaxed for us who use cotton from the USA and make clothes of it," he said.

He also appreciated the role of Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury, managing director of Asana Ventures and Bangladesh Consultant of Cotton Council International, in promoting US Cotton in Bangladesh.

The Cotton Council International (CCI) introduced Cotton Day in 2016 in Bangladesh to celebrate US Cotton and the achievement of Bangladesh being the largest manufacturer and exporter of cotton apparel products.

Over 1,000 participants including spinning and textile mill owners, executives, garment manufacturers, officials from international brands and retailers, cotton merchants and traders including agents attended the virtual seminar. They discussed Leadership Through Crisis, Sustainability and Post Covid-19 Retail, Global Politics and Trade-A Rough Road Ahead, Cotton USA Solutions, US Cotton Trust Protocol, and Global Cotton Economic Outlook.

Bruce Atherley, executive director, CCI said, "We appreciate all the support you have given to Cotton USA particularly in this terrible time we are going through right now. We are optimistic we will get through it and sooner we can get on with our business."

Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury said, "I would like to thank Cotton USA for their initiative, as this is a very informative event for our industry. Bangladesh used to export 100% cotton garments, although it is now exporting about 85% of the same cotton garment, which is still unique because no other garment exporting country of the world exports such an amount of cotton products."

He hoped the yearly celebration will continue in the future.

Shabbir Ahmed introduced Ali Arsalan, managing director of Atiya Consulting Ltd, who will act as CCI's consultant in Bangladesh from October 1, 2020. Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury will retire from his consultancy from September 30 and will be the ambassador of Cotton USA from October 1.

Michael Duke, former chief executive officer of Wal-Mart, Willis Sparks, director of Eurasia Group, Dr Gary Adams, president and chief executive officer of National Cotton Council of America, Hank Reichle, chairman of Cotton Council International and Chief Executive Officer of Staplcotn, Ricky Clarke, president of Cotton Council International, and Bruce Atherley, executive director of Cotton Council International gave presentations.