A 50% reduction in yarn imports from India could generate approximately five lakh new jobs in Bangladesh, said Showkat Aziz Russell, President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), during a seminar on sustainable cotton sourcing.
Speaking at the 'Sustainable Sourcing Seminar of Cotton' held Tuesday evening at the Bashundhara Convention Centre, and jointly organized by Cotton USA and BTMA, Russell stressed the importance of prioritizing domestic industry over dependency on neighboring countries.
Citing a report from The Hindu, he noted that 45% of Indian yarn exports are destined for Bangladesh, and argued that reducing this reliance would significantly bolster the local textile sector. “Businesses that argue local production is suffering due to the halt in Indian yarn imports via land ports are not supporting the growth of our domestic economy,” he said.
Russell criticized the existing import structure, stating that Indian clothes are imported based on value rather than weight, which he claimed is damaging to Bangladesh’s textile industry. He called on Bangladeshi businesses to be patient and adopt policies that serve national interests.
He also criticized past government policies that, in his view, disproportionately favored neighboring countries. “India is sucking the blood of Bangladesh’s economy. This needs to change—across every sector,” he said.
The seminar also featured remarks from Tracey Ann Jacobson, Charge d'Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Bangladesh, who highlighted the USA's role as a reliable supplier of high-quality, sustainably grown cotton. She emphasized the potential for stronger US-Bangladesh collaboration in sustainable industrial growth.
Representatives from Cotton Council International (CCI) and other global textile stakeholders presented seven technical papers covering topics such as U.S. cotton market potential, cotton technologies, supply chain logistics, cotton traceability, and market research.
Notable participants included Ali Arsalan, CCI Representative for Bangladesh; Daniel Wong, CCI; William Bettendorf, Regional Director for South Asia; Shahana Akter Kiron, Vice President of Textile Genesis; Azeezur Rahman Khan, Country Representative of The Woolmark Company; Prof. Muhammad Tausif, Technical Consultant for CCI; Zoe Keay, VP Sales at Oritain; and Daren Abney, Executive Director of the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol.
The seminar drew a wide range of attendees, including representatives from Bangladeshi textile businesses and major U.S. brands.
While Bangladesh is a major importer of U.S. cotton for its readymade garments (RMG) sector, industry leaders acknowledged ongoing challenges such as high logistics costs and long shipping times. BTMA is actively advocating for duty-free access to the U.S. market for garments made using American cotton, while also looking to diversify sourcing and boost local cotton production.
