Call it a move to promote exports amidst the so-called ongoing ‘trade war’ with other countries or a genuine appreciation, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat, speaking at a recent event in Dhaka, was all praise for readymade garment manufacturers of Bangladesh for using US-produced cotton to make apparels that are in global demand.
Addressing a seminar, organised by COTTON USA to celebrate the third Cotton Day in the country, the US envoy also expressed happiness at Bangladesh’s stand to do away with trade barriers which allegedly limits access of US cotton by Bangladesh’s apparel manufacturers and exporters.
To mark this occasion, a delegation from COTTON USA, which included Director- South Asia of Cotton Council International William Bettendorf, President of American Cotton Shippers Association (ACSA) Raymond Faus, Vice President ICE Futures- ICE Marc Lewkowitz, President-SUPIMA, William Bettendorf among others, arrived in Dhaka last Sunday.
It may be mentioned here that as per US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Bangladesh is the largest cotton importer with 18 per cent global shares while China is said to be the second-largest buyer of US raw cotton. According to some experts, Bangladesh is set to benefit from the ongoing trade war between US and China, which they feel will lead to decline in cotton prices.
Introduced in 2016, the Cotton Council International (CCI) observes the Cotton Day to celebrate US Cotton and Bangladesh’s standing as the largest manufacturer and exporter of cotton apparel products.
