A delegation from the Japan Textile Importers Association (JTIA) met with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan on Monday. During the meeting, Japanese buyers expressed their interest in importing high-value, fashionable garments from Bangladesh, a press release said.
The delegation from the Japan Textile Importers Association included:
Toshinao Kawai, Supply Chain Management Department, MN Inter-Fashion Limited; Issei Nozawa, International Logistics Section, Administration Department, Lifestyle Business Division, Koa Company Limited; Shingo Igami, General Manager, Overseas Affairs Department, Toyoshima & Co. Ltd.; Norihiro Komiya, Managing Director, The Japan Textiles Importers Association; and Minami Kojiro, Manager, Osaka Sales and Marketing Department No. 2 Section 2, AIT Corporation.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan led the discussion, while Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan (Bablu), Vice President Md. Shihab Uddoza Chowdhury, Director Mohammad Abdur Rahim, Director Nafis-ud-Daulah, Director Sumaiya Islam, Director Fahima Akhtar, Director Joarder Mohammad Hosne Qamar Alam, Director Rumana Rashid and Director Mohammad Sohel also participated in the discussion.
The meeting discussed how both sides can work together to increase bilateral trade, especially garment exports from Bangladesh to Japan.
The BGMEA President said that the Bangladeshi garment industry has now strategically focused on market diversification and Japan is a very important and promising market for Bangladesh in this regard.
He said that the garment industry is now working diligently to shift its product offering to the higher-value segment by shifting its focus from basic cotton-based products to synthetic fabrics and technical textile-based garments.
He called on Japanese buyers to increase garment sourcing from Bangladesh.
At the meeting, the JTIA delegation appreciated the growth of the Bangladeshi garment industry, its efforts to ensure social and environmental compliance, and worker safety and welfare.
They said that with Bangladesh’s capacity to produce high-quality products increasing significantly, Japanese buyers are now looking to Bangladesh as a sourcing destination for high-value and fashionable products.
The discussion focused on ways to make the supply chain smoother and faster. The JTIA delegation specifically noted that Japanese buyers attach utmost importance to importing goods within the shortest lead time. To facilitate the reduction of lead time, they suggested streamlining Bangladesh’s customs procedures and further enhancing the operational efficiency of Chittagong Port.
The BGMEA leaders sought the cooperation of the JTIA delegation in facilitating visa procedures for Bangladeshi businessmen in Japan. In response, the delegation said that they would soon discuss the matter with the relevant authorities of the Japanese government.
The BGMEA also requested the delegation to share information and research on international market trends.
During the meeting, both sides discussed various issues related to the garment industry, including the impact of US tariffs on garment exports, the potential impact of LDC graduation, and other issues.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan formally requested the Japanese government through JTIA to continue the duty-free market benefits even after the transition to meet the challenges of Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC after 2026. He expressed the view that this benefit can be ensured through a mutually beneficial framework like EPA or PTA.
In the meeting, both the organizations agreed to continue their mutual cooperation and work together to increase Bangladesh’s garment exports to Japan.
