H.E Ambassador of Kingdom of the Netherlands meets BGMEA Officials.
H.E Alphons Hennekens -Ambassador, Embassy of Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh visited BGMEA Office on 3rd February, 2011 at the invitation of BGMEA. His Excellency met with Mr. Faruque Hassan, Vice President-BGMEA to discuss bi-lateral matters. Among others Md. Nasir-Director, BGMEA; Md. Mostafizur Rahman-Secretary, BGMEA, Adnan Nafis-Deputy Secretary, BGMEA and President and members of Dutch-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industries were present. Mr. Faruque Hassan briefed H.E. Ambassador about the activities of the Research Cell of BGMEA and different activities carried out by BGMEA in the sectors of Skill development, Compliance, Productivity improvement and different CSR projects. He also briefed H.E about the bilateral trade between the two countries. Netherlands is an important market for Bangladesh apparel as in FY 2009-10, apparel export to Netherlands was US$ 917.36 million and was 7.34% of Bangladesh’s total apparel export. The growth rate was 55.96% and 51.05% in FY 2007-08 and 2008-09 respectively. Bangladesh is the 3rd and 6th largest exporter to Netherlands in knit and woven respectively. In the first six months July to December of FY 2010-11 exports to Netherlands already reached US$ 618.90 million. Mr. Faruque expressed his optimism that the export will increase as EU has already simplified the rules of origin by making it single stage from two stages.
H.E Alphons Hennekens -Ambassador, Embassy of Kingdom of the Netherlands expressed his gratitude for inviting him to BGMEA. H.E Ambassador acknowledged the contribution of RMG in Bangladesh’s economy and BGMEA role in promoting the RMG sector internationally. He expressed his willingness to support BGMEA’s initiatives in the sectors of Skill Development and Hospital Projects and requested BGMEA Management to support Dutch Business Community in Bangladesh.