A delegation from Kmart Australia met with leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka, to discuss avenues for collaboration in building a sustainable apparel industry and expanding trade ties.
The Kmart delegation was led by Tristram Gray, Chief People & Corporate Affairs Officer; Albert Young, Head of Ethical Sourcing; and Obaid Ghazi, Ethical Sourcing Manager for Kmart Australia & New Zealand and Target Australia. They were received by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, along with Senior Vice President Inamul Haque Khan, Vice Presidents Md. Rezowan Selim, Mizanur Rahman, and Md. Shihab Uddoja Chowdhury, as well as Directors Faisal Samad, Nafis-ud-Daula, and Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz.
During the meeting, both parties explored opportunities for cooperation in promoting sustainability within Bangladesh’s garment sector. Tristram Gray reaffirmed Kmart’s long-standing relationship with Bangladesh and expressed interest in expanding collaboration into new areas, emphasising the company’s commitment to ethical sourcing and sustainability initiatives.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted sustainability as a top priority for the industry. He shared ongoing efforts to improve workers’ welfare, strengthen industrial relations, and boost industry competitiveness through technological advancement, innovation, and skills development. He also proposed the development of a Unified Code of Conduct for the apparel industry, which he believes would streamline audits, reduce factory pressures, and foster a more ethical and responsible industry—calling on Kmart’s support for this initiative.
The meeting also focused on expanding Bangladesh’s market access, with discussions on strategies to increase apparel exports to Australia. Both sides noted Australia’s duty-free access to Bangladeshi garments and explored avenues such as trade fairs, business delegations, and promotional activities to enhance market penetration.
Kmart assured that if BGMEA organises a trade delegation to Australia, it would facilitate meetings with Australian government officials to support Bangladeshi exporters. The BGMEA President urged Kmart to actively promote Bangladesh’s apparel industry’s strengths and sustainability achievements to bolster its market presence.
It was also reaffirmed that Kmart remains Australia’s largest single apparel buyer, with a longstanding sourcing relationship with Bangladeshi manufacturers. The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to strengthen cooperation aimed at fostering a sustainable, ethical, and competitive apparel industry in Bangladesh while expanding trade opportunities in Australia.
