The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) hosted a cocktail reception for non-resident ambassadors to Bangladesh of different countries posted in India on February 29. 

This initiative aimed to promote trade and investment opportunities with Bangladesh while cultivating stronger connections with nations holding untapped potential.

For the first time, BGMEA organized such event to highlight the vast potential for trade and investment in Bangladesh, with a focus on building mutually beneficial relationships among stakeholders. 

Ambassadors from countries with non-resident missions accredited to Bangladesh were invited to the networking event. Representatives from apparel brands and Indian suppliers of machinery and raw materials also joined the occasion.

Notable attendees included H.E. Mrs. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou, Ambassador of Greece; H.E. Didier Anna L. Vanderhasselt, Ambassador of Belgium; H.E. Nikolay Yankov, Ambassador of Bulgaria; H.E. Mikhail Kasko, Ambassador of Belarus; H. E. Elchin Huseynli, Ambassador of Azerbaijan; H.E. Federico Salas Lotfe, Ambassador of Mexico; H.E. Juan Angulo, Ambassador of Chile; H.E. Alberto Antonio Guani Amarilla, Ambassador of Uruguay; H.E. Omar Lisandro Castañeda Solares, Ambassador of Guatemala;  H.E. Mr. Jason Hall, High Commissioner of Jamaica; H.E. Mrs. Dillah Lucienne, Ambassador of the Republic of Chad; H.E. Mustapha Jawara, High Commissioner of the Gambia; H.E. Ms. Jacqueline Mukangira, High Commissioner of Rwanda; H.E. Brig. General Aloys Bizindavyi, Ambassador of Burundi; H.E. Adv (Mrs.) Lebohang Valentine Mochaba, High Commissioner of Lesotho; H.E. Clemente Pedro Francisco Camenha, Ambassador of Angola; Abel Aballe Despaigne, Charge d’ Affaires of the Embassy of Cuba; Margus Solnson, Tahina Rasamoelina, Chargés d’affaires of Madagascar; Ms. Sofia Salas, Chargés d’affaires of Costa Rica; Dr. Aminata Thiam, Chargés d’affaires of Guinea; Deputy Head of Mission of the Embassy of Estonia; Peter Hobwani, Deputy Ambassador of Zimbabwe; and Nilesh Roneel Kumar, Charge’d Affaires of the Embassy of Fiji. 

Besides, diplomats from the embassies of Poland, the Dominican Republic, Slovenia, and Tongo were present at the cocktail reception. 

During his welcome remarks, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan presented Bangladesh as the most preferred destination in South Asia for sourcing and for foreign investors. 

He highlighted the nation’s growing infrastructure, specialized economic zones, and other investment-friendly facilities. 

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan urged the envoys to encourage investors to explore emerging sectors in Bangladesh, emphasizing areas such as textile machinery, man-made fiber, technical textiles, recycling industry, and non-textile sectors including IT, pharmaceuticals, light engineering, and shipbuilding.

He also showcased Bangladesh’s emerging manufacturing sectors, including frozen foods, leather goods, agro products, jute products, and ceramics. 

The BGMEA President provided an overview of Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry, emphasizing its strides in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability, and circular practices.

Addressing the high level representatives from TEXPROCIL, India, Faruque Hassan stressed the importance of increased collaboration to explore mutually beneficial trade opportunities. 

He urged reciprocal visits by businessmen from both countries to strengthen trade and investment ties.

Bangladesh High Commissioner to India, H.E. Md Mustafizur Rahman, made his remarks emphasizing the significance of such initiatives in strengthening bilateral relations. 

BGMEA Directors Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan and Neela Hosna Ara were also present.