The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) believes that Uruguay could be the ‘gateway’ or main gateway for garment exports from Bangladesh to the influential trading bloc of South America, Mercosur, a press release said.
Today, January 08, 2026, when Uruguayan Ambassador to Bangladesh Alberto Guayani visited BGMEA, BGMEA leaders expressed their views on this matter.
Led by BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan, Director Shah Raed Chowdhury, Director Sumaiya Islam and Director Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz also participated in the discussion on behalf of BGMEA. Uruguayan Honorary Consul to Bangladesh Mustafa Kamrus Sobhan was also present at the meeting.
The meeting discussed bilateral trade, investment and mutual cooperation to address challenges after LDC graduation.
At the beginning of the discussion, BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan highlighted various aspects of Bangladesh’s garment industry. He sought the government’s cooperation to increase garment exports from Bangladesh to Uruguay.
BGMEA Senior Vice President said that although Bangladesh ranks second in garment exports in the world, it has not been able to enter the Latin American market in the same way and Bangladesh wants to utilize this opportunity.
BGMEA Director Shah Raeed Chowdhury said that Uruguay can act as the main ‘gateway’ or entrance for Bangladesh’s ready-made garment exports, especially in the Mercosur region.
The Uruguayan ambassador expressed his interest in increasing garment imports from Bangladesh and offered to export Uruguay’s world-class ‘traceability’ wool to Bangladesh.
Uruguayan Honorary Consul to Bangladesh Mustafa Kamrus Sobhan said that Uruguayan merino wool has an international standard traceability certificate, and Bangladeshi garment manufacturers can use it to become more competitive in the global market.
BGMEA Director Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz said that Bangladesh can diversify its products by importing wool from Uruguay and strengthen its position in the Latin American market.
In the meeting, both sides discussed the need for Bangladesh to sign an FTA with the Mercosur bloc, especially to address the challenges post-LDC graduation. BGMEA Director Sumaiya Islam said that if Bangladesh imports ‘wool’ as a raw material from Uruguay, and in return, a special priority can be included in the FTA for ready-made garment exports from Bangladesh, then the garment industry will benefit.
It is said that both sides will benefit from expanding trade by signing a trade agreement with Mercosur. In particular, by using Uruguay’s efficient ports and advanced transportation system, Bangladeshi garment exporters will be able to easily supply products to the entire Mercosur region.
BGMEA Director Shah Raeed Chowdhury proposed sending a strong trade delegation to Uruguay at the meeting.
