The United States, which plays a vital role in the global cotton market acting as a key producer and exporter of the fibre, is looking to grab more from Bangladesh’s cotton imports even as to strengthen the US foothold in the Bangladesh market — Bangladesh is world’s second largest importer of cotton — US exporters and their representatives emphasised on resolving issues like hike in shipping costs, obligation to fumigate US cotton after imports, not being able to send cotton-laden ships directly to Bangladesh in the absence of a deep seaport, other logistics costs, etc.
According to reports, a three-member Cotton Council International (CCI) delegation — a non-profit trade platform that promotes US cotton — is, reportedly, visiting Bangladesh currently even as the delegation called on representatives of spinning mill owners and leaders of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), in its efforts to further increase the export of US cotton to Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, underlining Bangladesh’s spinning industry is heavily dependent on imported cotton, Director of supply chain and marketing for South and Southeast Asia of CCI, William R. Bettendorf, reportedly, maintained that US cotton export witnessed a 40 per cent year-on-year growth in FY21, even as after meeting the CCI delegation, BTMA President Mohammad Ali Khokon stated, “…We have unofficially demanded that US-cotton made garments be given duty-free access….”
