High Commissioner of Canada in Bangladesh, H.E. Benoit Préfontaine paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at BGMEA’s office in Gulshan, Dhaka on 20 October.

BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Directors Asif Ashraf and Abdullah Hil Rakib, and Counsellor and Senior Trade Commissioner at the High Commission Ms. Angela Dark were also present on the occasion.

They discussed various issues pertinent to the apparel industry, especially how Bangladesh could tap in more opportunities in terms of RMG exports to Canadian market and attract investment in different potential sectors like high value-added and non-cotton textiles along with others.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan appraised the envoy of the future priorities of Bangladesh’s RMG industry including increased emphasis on skills and efficiency enhancement, technological upgradation, and diversification of products, especially non-cotton and technical textiles.

He requested the High Commissioner to promote the untold stories of the industry's transformation in the areas of workplace safety, social and environmental sustainability.

He also sought cooperation of Canada in developing knowledge and skills of the students of BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) in textile, apparel, fashion, design and business through collaboration with leading Canadian universities.