H.E German Ambassador Launched Market Access Guide to the New and Emerging Markets at BGMEA

His Excellency Mr. Holger Michael, German Ambassador to Bangladesh visited BGMEA on 8^th February 2011 at the invitation of BGMEA to discuss trade related issues and launch a Market Access Guide. The launching ceremony was chaired by Abdus Salam Murshedy-President, BGMEA and co-chaired by Faruque Hassan-Vice President, BGMEA. The program was conducted by Adnan Nafis-Deputy Secretary (Research). Among others Mr. Daniel Seidl-Executive Director: BGCCI, Dr. Dietrich Stotz-Program Coordinator-Progress,GIZ; Ms. Sarwat Ahmed-Senior Advisor, GIZ; Ms. Wieke Gerhold- GM, EURO Centra and BGMEA members were present. BGMEA President, Abdus Salam Murshedy appreciated German Government’s support to Bangladesh and especially to BGMEA through GIZ in different projects He pointed out that Germany is Bangladesh’s most important trade partner as Germany is the 2^nd largest destination for RMG. For knit, Germany is the largest and for woven 2^nd largest destination. In FY 2009-10 total RMG exports to Germany was US$ 2 billion. In the first six months July to December of FY 2010-11 exports to Germany already reached US$ 1333.2 million. BGMEA President expressed his gratitude to the German Government for playing an important role in the simplification of Rules of Origin by making it single stage from two stages. He also expressed optimism that RMG export will increase.

Faruque Hassan-Vice President, BGMEA said that “Germany is our important trading partner and the 2^nd largest RMG export destination”. He mentioned that Bangladesh is now one of the leading RMG exporters in the world. The quality and efficiency of the garments factories of Bangladesh are now world class to support global demand. He also said that BGMEA has placed utmost priority to explore the emerging markets for Bangladesh’s apparel products and have already taken steps to develop and promote trade linkages with some specific emerging markets and as part of the initiative Research Cell of BGMEA-RDTI has published Market Briefs on seven countries dubbed as New Emerging Markets: Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Turkey and Mexico-Brazil-Chile. He pointed out that BGMEA runs 12 health centers and five primary schools for garments workers and their children. BGMEA is constructing two hospitals with all faclities one in Dhaka and one in Chittagong. He requested H.E, Ambassador to provide more assistance for Skill Development for the garments workers.

Mr. Holger Michael, German Ambassador to Bangladesh in his speech applauded BGMEA’s initiatives for conducting all the activities to improve the BGMEA members’ efficiency, productivity. He praised BGMEA’s CSR activities. He said that German Government considers Bangladesh as an important trading partner. He said that he is happy to see that BGMEA has been working in close relation with German Government through GIZ.

Later on the Ambassador launched the “Market Access Guide to the New and Emerging Markets” which was produced by BGMEA in collaboration with GIZ PROGRESS and the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD). The Market Guide will identify the potentials of new and emerging markets.

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