Desk Report: According to-Two Brazilian trade bodies – Brazilian Cotton Growers Association (ABRAPA) and Brazilian Cotton Exporters Association (ANES) – are exploring the trade opportunities in Bangladesh, especially its cotton market.
A Brazilian business mission is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on June 12-15. Its members are scheduled to visit different spinning mills and meet the officials of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Ministry of Industries, Cotton Development Board, Noman Group, MAS Group, NRG Group, ISRAQ Group, Viyellatex Group, Syed Group and Salma Group.
Bangladesh Embassy in Brazil conveyed the issue to the Ministry of Commerce and other stakeholders concerned.
Marcelo Duarte Monteiro, Director of International Relations of ABRAPA said, “While the world is facing a supply-chain crisis and a shortage of cotton globally, Brazil continues to foster business, maintaining its relationship strategies and assuring cotton supply. As we move into the second year of our programme and raise awareness for Brazilian cotton trade, we will continue to deliver solutions across cotton traceability, logistics, technology, and sustainability verticals.”
Julio Cezar Busato, President of ABRAPA said, “Cotton continues to be a source of environmentally friendly fibre as compared to its synthetic counterparts and remains a staple material for global traders and merchants. However, we are aware of the harmful effects caused from unsustainable cotton growing systems and continue to work towards reducing the environmental impact of cotton farming practices. With modernised technology and advanced agricultural tools, we can create a sustainable cotton economy.”
Bangladesh annually spends US$3.5-4.0 billion in importing around 8.0 million bales of cotton. It imports cotton mainly from African countries, India, Australia and the US, while Brazil joined the importing country list in recent years. Bangladesh annually produces only 0.16 million bales of cotton, according to the BTMA.
