The Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) hosted a high-level dinner in Dhaka on 25th November 2025 in honour of H.E. Sardor Rustambaev, Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan to India, with the aim of advancing bilateral cooperation in textiles, trade, and investment.
The event brought together senior government officials, business leaders, and industry stakeholders from both countries to explore new avenues for collaboration across the textile and apparel value chain.
BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem described Uzbekistan as a promising regional business hub for Bangladeshi entrepreneurs. He urged the Uzbek government to open an embassy in Dhaka and restore direct air connectivity between the two nations, saying that enhanced diplomatic presence and travel links would greatly boost trade, mobility, and people-to-people ties. He also encouraged Uzbek investors to consider opportunities in Bangladesh’s textile, garment, and manufacturing sectors, reaffirming BKMEA’s readiness to support potential partnerships.
BKMEA Vice President Mohammad Rashed delivered a presentation on the existing export–import landscape, outlining emerging opportunities, current bottlenecks, and the need for simplified trade procedures to fully unlock bilateral economic potential.
Ambassador Rustambaev highlighted Uzbekistan’s role as a leading cotton exporter and expressed strong interest in benefiting from Bangladesh’s expertise in textile and garment manufacturing. He noted that Uzbekistan is keen to advance its own textile capabilities through cooperation and knowledge exchange with Bangladesh, adding that an earlier engagement could have accelerated collaboration with Bangladesh’s globally competitive apparel sector.
The event concluded with BKMEA representatives reiterating their commitment to fostering long-term Bangladesh–Uzbekistan cooperation, particularly in textiles, cotton value chain development, and broader industrial collaboration.
