C Douglas McMillon, president and CEO of Wal-Mart International, left Dhaka on Friday after a short, unannounced visit.

During his 24-hour trip, McMillon met top leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.

By one estimate, 30 percent of Bangladesh's garments exports to the US went to Wal-Mart, the world's largest retail chain. The US is the single largest importer of Bangladeshi garments.

Famous for its low prices helped by an innovative inventory management system, Wal-Mart operates in 15 countries at more than 8,424 retail units under 53 different banners.

"The Wal-Mart CEO came to visit our readymade garment industry, as Bangladesh become one of the important sourcing country in recent years for the company," said Abdus Salam Murshedy, president of BGMEA.

McMillon stressed developing a special economic zone for the garments industry, with adequate gas and electricity supply to ensure uninterrupted production, he said.