Robert Chatterton Dickson, British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, paid a courtesy visit to BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at BGMEA Complex on October 18.

BGMEA Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Directors Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, Asif Ashraf, Tanvir Ahmed, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Director of Sales and Investment at British High Commission Dan Pasha and BTMA Director Md. Mosharaf Hossain were present at the meeting.

They discussed various trade related issues, including the present situation in the UK market, possible ways to increase apparel export share in the UK, challenges of the industry and the areas where the sector is focusing on to remain competitiveness in the long term.

They also talked about cooperation between the UK and Bangladesh regarding graduation from LDC, possible changes in the tariff regime and how to retain Bangladesh’s export competitiveness and maintain its standing in the global market in the post-LDC era.

British High Commissioner Robert Chatterton Dickson praised the RMG industry for its remarkable strides of in the areas of workplace safety and environmental sustainability.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan apprised the High Commissioner about the future priorities of the RMG industry, especially more emphasis on moving up the value chain with product diversification, enhancing productivity, technology upgradation and skill development. 

He expressed thanks to the High Commissioner for the friendly support of the UK for betterment of Bangladesh’s apparel industry, especially for the new “Developing Countries Trading Scheme” in place of the existing GSP, saying that it would support Bangladesh in enhancing trade significantly.

Faruque Hassan hoped that the friendly support of the British government for the development of Bangladesh would continue in the coming years.