Bangladesh’s primary textile and garment trade bodies have established a joint operational framework to accelerate technological modernization across domestic manufacturing facilities. The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) entered into an MoU to launch the annual Bangladesh International Textile and Apparel Machinery Exhibition (BITMA) in Dhaka.

Managed by a 10-member joint committee with equal organizational representation and annually rotating leadership, the platform facilitates direct technology transfer in artificial intelligence, robotics, and water-efficient processing. Bringing international technology suppliers directly to Dhaka gives local manufacturers a distinct operational lead in global competition, states Shawkat Aziz Russell, President, BTMA.

Backward integration mitigates LDC graduation risks

As Bangladesh prepares for graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, strengthening domestic primary textile capacity is essential to retain duty-free market access under stricter GSP Plus rules of origin. Apparel manufacturers are expanding capital investments in automated spinning and synthetic fiber processing to reduce raw fabric import dependence. Their focus remains on integrating green technology and advanced automation to secure our image as an ethical, high-value manufacturing hub, notes Mahmud Hasan Khan, President, BGMEA.

Eyeing $100 blllion national garment exports

Established in 1983, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association represents over 4,000 garment factories servicing primary retail markets across Europe and North America. BGMEA targets $100 billion in national garment exports by expanding high-value woven and knitwear production, supported by robust financial performance across domestic supply chains.