The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) from 17 to 24 August 2023. Its goal was to strengthen trade relations between Bangladesh and Iraq.
The visit was productive, with promising discussions and unforgettable cultural experiences. It was honored to receive warm hospitality from all stakeholders, including Iraqi government offices, trade bodies, business organizations, and other influential figures.
In Iraq, we showcased the high quality and competitiveness of our products, positioning Bangladesh as an attractive source of apparel for Iraq. Its discussions with Iraqi business leaders were particularly memorable. Engineer Haidar Al-Athari, Chairman of the Najaf Chamber of Commerce, welcomed us for discussions on bilateral trade and investment.
Similarly, our meeting with Khaled Battal Najm Abdullah al-Jughifi, the Minister of Industry and Minerals, allowed us to emphasize the value of enhanced collaboration and the ease of doing business between the two countries.
We also engaged with Abdulrazak Al-Zuheere, President of the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce, and other notable figures to explore potential collaborations, trade opportunities, and avenues for cooperation that would benefit both Iraq and Bangladesh.
In addition, we had an important discussion session with the Ambassador of Bangladesh to Iraq, H.E. Fazlul Bari. During this meeting, it presented a comprehensive overview of Bangladesh's garment industry, highlighting its current status, future potential, and strategies for sustainable growth.
I would like to point out that we had previously perceived Iraq as a war-ravaged country. However, after our visit, this perception has changed. I
t saw a new Iraq, which is divided into 18 governorates for administrative purposes, three of which constitute the autonomous Kurdistan Region. All of these regions have seen significant development in terms of per capita income, infrastructure, consumption, and overall economic progress.
I took the opportunity to visit a few shopping malls to see what kind of clothing they sell and where they source it from. Most of the clothing was imported from Turkey. However, BGMEA did find a few dresses made in Bangladesh, but they had been transhipped through Turkey.
Bangladesh could be one of the most preferred apparel sourcing hubs given our price range and quality if we could directly export to Iraqi customers. In fact, all of the meetings we had with top officials and the private sector showed a huge enthusiasm for direct sourcing and strengthening bilateral trade.
Another amazing fact is that Iraq has a population of about 44 million people, but they do not manufacture any garments. They import 100% of their requirements. The range of apparel that we manufacture and export is in demand in Iraq.
The 47th Session of the Baghdad International Fair will be held from 1 to 10 November 2023 in Baghdad. Additionally, the 5th Erbil International Fashion & Textile Exhibition is scheduled to take place from 14 to 17 December 2023 in Erbil in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
