Close bilateral cooperation between Bangladesh and Indonesia can help both countries derive mutual trade benefits, especially in the apparel and textile sector, says Faruque Hassan, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).

Hassan also emphasized on the need for identifying and removing trade barriers, especially to Bangladesh's apparel exports to the Indonesian market. He was a discussion organiZed virtually by the BGMEA and Indonesian Textile Association (API).

Heru Hartanto Subolo, Indonesia Ambassador to Bangladesh; Jemmy Kartwa Sastraatmaja, Chairman, API and Anne P Sutanto, Chairperson and representatives of Indonesian textile companies also joined the discussion.

Faruque said Bangladesh's apparel industry is pursuing the next level of its growth through diversification of products, especially high-end non-cotton apparel products and technical textiles, which has created a demand for man-made fibres and fabrics.

Indonesian textile can meet the demand of Bangladesh's apparel sector, he added.