Dhaka: The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Overseas Chinese Association in Bangladesh (OCAIB) have launched a joint initiative aimed at enhancing the upper supply chain and backward linkages of Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector by drawing foreign investment and modern technology into the market.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the decision to embark on this collaborative effort was made during a bilateral meeting between BGMEA leaders and an OCAIB delegation at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara. The discussions centered around increasing Chinese investment in the apparel sector, bringing in new capital and advanced technology to both operational and closed factories, and facilitating strategic joint ventures.
The BGMEA delegation was led by President Mahmud Hasan Khan, along with Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, and Directors Shah Rayeed Chowdhury, Joarder Md Hosne Qumer Alam, and Samiha Asim. The OCAIB team included Vice President Lisa Lou, Vice President and Secretary General Vivian Huang, Executive Director Steven Zhang, and Secretary Tina Hu.
During the meeting, Chinese representatives emphasized the importance of foreign investment in strengthening and modernizing Bangladesh’s upper supply chain. They pointed out that while many Chinese companies are interested in establishing factories, transferring technology, and expanding operations in Bangladesh, the absence of reliable, centralized information often hinders decision-making. They called for active coordination and information support from BGMEA.
In response, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan assured the delegation that BGMEA will gather detailed data from its member factories through email. Local factory owners seeking Chinese capital, modern technology, or joint venture partnerships will be requested to submit key information, including factory name and details, factory space and floor area, machinery description and quantity, current operational status, and preferred type of partnership.
BGMEA plans to analyze the capabilities and profiles of these factories before sharing the vetted data with OCAIB. This one-stop mechanism aims to establish a direct business matchmaking link between prospective Chinese investors and local factory owners. The initiative is expected to revitalize closed or struggling factories while accelerating foreign direct investment in backward linkages and high-value garment manufacturing.
BGMEA has invited interested factory owners and potential investors to submit their detailed proposals, as per a press release.