Cotton USA Sustainable Sourcing Seminar convened yesterday at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka, focusing on enhancing U.S.-Bangladesh trade relations and promoting sustainable cotton sourcing.
Organized by U.S. Cotton Council in collaboration with the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), the seminar brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the future of cotton trade between the two nations.
The seminar featured seven expert presentations on U.S. cotton’s potential, sustainability, traceability, and supply chain. Participants discussed challenges like logistics, shipping delays, and the need for duty-free access to the U.S. market for garments made with U.S. cotton.
U.S. Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson expressed optimism about the growing partnership, noting, “Bangladesh is now the fifth-largest importer of cotton globally. We anticipate it becoming the largest importer soon, presenting tremendous opportunities for increased collaboration with American partners.”
BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell highlighted the significant investments made by Bangladeshi textile mills, totaling $22 billion, and emphasized the quality of American cotton, stating, “We are very much aware of good cotton. I would give American cotton ten out of ten in terms of quality.”
The seminar also addressed the potential for job creation through reduced dependency on Indian yarn imports. Russell suggested that a 50% reduction in such imports could generate approximately 500,000 new jobs in Bangladesh, strengthening the local textile industry.
Presentations from industry experts, including Cotton Council International Regional Director Will Bettendorf and U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol Executive Director Daren Abney, underscored the benefits of U.S. cotton’s sustainability and traceability.
The seminar concluded with a shared commitment to fostering a more sustainable and mutually beneficial cotton trade relationship between the United States and Bangladesh.
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