Bangladesh's Apparel Leaders Seek More Orders From Wal-Mart

View all news

The country's apparel leaders have sought more import orders from the Wal-Mart to expedite trade relations between Bangladesh and the United States.

The appeal was made at a meeting with a five-member high-powered delegation, headed by C. Douglas McMillon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart International, held in the capital, Dhaka on Friday.

"We've sought more import orders from the world's largest retailer to keep continue our business growth," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Abdus Salam Murshedy told AHN Media in Dhaka after the meeting.

During the meeting, the BGMEA also sought cooperation from Wal-Mart to strengthen their education programs for the garment worker's children, Mr. Murshedy added.

The Wal-Mart authorities assured the BGMEA leaders that it would extend their support to facilitate the education programs, saying that they consider Bangladesh as an important source of manufactured apparel.

The Wal-Mart chief executive has suggested setting up special economic zones for the apparel sector exclusively to attract foreign buyers as well as foreign investors, the BGMEA chief noted.

"Definitely, we'll recommend the government shortly to establish such economic zones," Mr. Mushedy said while replying to a query, adding that the Wal-Mart has also suggested improving infrastructure particularly power and gas to facilitate the country's industrial sectors.

Doug McMillon is the president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart International, a fast-growing segment of Wal-Mart's overall operations, with more than 3,970 stores and more than 680,000 associates in 15 markets outside the continental United States.