Speakers at a view exchange meeting on Wednesday observed that Australians valued maintaining good relations with importers, so Bangladesh should focus on building relationships.
They said by emphasizing going green, using solar energy, and ensuring product quality, safety and security at the workplace, Bangladesh could enter the Australian market with new products, especially with tea and ceramics.
The observations were made during the discussion between of delegation from Country Road Group (CRG) of Australia and Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), as the delegation visited the Gulshan office of the MCCI on Wednesday.
Jeremy Bruer, High Commissioner, Australian High Commission in Bangladesh, graced the interactive event as the Chief Guest.
Rachid Maliki, GM, Global Supply Chain and Sourcing, led the CRG delegation and was also the Special Guest of the event. The event was moderated by the MCCI President Md. Saiful Islam.
Country Road Group is one of Australia’s largest specialty fashion retailers, with a market leading position in the mid to upper tier of the segment. It is a subsidiary of Woolworths Holdings Limited. As of 2022, its brands include Country Road, Mimco, Trenery, Politix, and Witchery.
The purpose of the CRG delegation’s visit to MCCI was to exchange views to improve bilateral cooperation and increase trade between Australia and Bangladesh.
MCCI President Md. Saiful Islam acknowledged Bangladesh’s need for product and market diversification in the export market, with both increasing with the pandemic and Russia-Ukraine conflict effects. With LDC-graduation in 2026, Bangladesh would have to overcome the challenges of loss of preferential treatment in its export markets. Special Guest Rachid Maliki gave a brief introduction of CRG. Since Bangladesh’s share in CRG’s sourcing was very low, it had much room for improvement. Maliki praised Bangladesh’s latest factories and how those underscored safety, security, and green transition.
A panel discussion took place, followed by an open floor. The panelists were Asif Ashraf, Director, BGMEA, Md. Shirajul Islam Mollah, President, BCMEA, Ibnul Wara, Vice President, ABCCI, and Rachid Maliki of CRG.
They pointed out that the volume of RMG exports to Australia could also increase, but foreign producers would want sustainability, ethical practices, honesty, and transparency ensured.
Chief Guest Jeremy Bruer said as Australia and Bangladesh produced complementary products, tapping into those could push the bilateral trade up. Australian LNG and wool could be useful for Bangladesh, while Australia could find Bangladesh’s agricultural products useful.
The High Commissioner affirmed Australia was ready to help and support ideas of a bilateral trade boost at the government level. He also underscored the need for sustainability.
Finally, both CRG and MCCI emphasized how Australia and Bangladesh should take the bilateral trade to higher levels and agreed to work together in that regard. The bilateral chambers could play a big role in taking this initiative forward.