Dhaka:<Text>
Uruguay could emerge as a key gateway for Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG) exports to the Mercosur market, one of South America's most influential regional trading blocs, said leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) today. The observation came during a courtesy visit by Alberto Guani, Ambassador of Uruguay to Bangladesh, to the BGMEA office.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the BGMEA delegation was led by its Senior Vice President Inamul Haq Khan and included Directors Shah Rayeed Chowdhury, Sumaiya Islam, and Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz. Mostafa Kamrus Sobhan, Honorary Consul of Uruguay in Bangladesh, was also present at the meeting. Both sides engaged in detailed discussions on bilateral trade and investment while exploring ways to strengthen cooperation to address post-LDC graduation challenges, as stated in a BGMEA press release.
At the outset, Senior Vice President Inamul Haq Khan h ighlighted various aspects of Bangladesh's RMG sector and sought Uruguay's cooperation in increasing apparel exports from Bangladesh to Uruguay. He noted that although Bangladesh is the world's second-largest apparel exporter, it has yet to make significant inroads into the Latin American market, emphasizing the untapped potential there.
BGMEA Director Shah Rayeed Chowdhury pointed out that Uruguay could serve as an essential gateway for Bangladeshi apparel exports to the broader Mercosur region. Ambassador Alberto Guani expressed Uruguay's interest in increasing apparel imports from Bangladesh and proposed exporting Uruguay's world-class, fully traceable wool to Bangladesh.
Honorary Consul Mostafa Kamrus Sobhan mentioned the internationally recognized traceability certification of Uruguay's merino wool, which Bangladeshi garment manufacturers could leverage to enhance their competitiveness in global markets. BGMEA Director Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz noted that import ing wool from Uruguay could help Bangladesh diversify its product range and strengthen its position in the Latin American market.
Discussions also covered the necessity of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and the Mercosur bloc to address challenges following Bangladesh's graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category. BGMEA Director Sumaiya Islam expressed that importing wool from Uruguay as raw material, in exchange for special trade preferences for ready-made garments under an FTA, would significantly benefit Bangladesh's apparel sector.
Participants agreed that a trade agreement with Mercosur would be mutually advantageous in expanding bilateral trade. They highlighted the potential for Bangladesh's garment exporters to leverage Uruguay's efficient ports and advanced transport infrastructure to distribute products across the Mercosur region.
BGMEA Director Shah Rayeed Chowdhury proposed sending a strong trade delegation to Uru guay. Ambassador Alberto Guani noted that Uruguay has already requested Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs to send a delegation, suggesting that BGMEA could be part of that delegation. BGMEA leaders also underscored the importance of easing visa procedures.
Both sides expressed a keen interest in working closely to strengthen trade and investment ties between Bangladesh and Uruguay.
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