On 28 September, COTTON USA held a virtual seminar in Dhaka to celebrate the fifth Cotton Day- Bangladesh. Cotton Council International (CCI) introduced Cotton Day in 2016 in Bangladesh to celebrate US Cotton as well as Bangladesh being the largest manufacturer and exporter of cotton apparel products.
Over one thousand participants including spinning and textile mill owners, executives, garment manufacturers, officials from international brands and retailers, cotton merchants, and traders including agents attended the virtual seminar.
Mr. Michael Duke, former Chief Executive Officer of Wal-Mart, Mr. Willis Sparks, Director of Eurasia Group, Dr. Gary Adams, President & Chief Executive Officer of National Cotton Council of America, Mr. Hank Reichle, Chairman of Cotton Council International & Chief Executive Officer of Staplcotn, Mr. Ricky Clarke, President of Cotton Council International, and Mr. Bruce Atherley, Executive Director of Cotton Council International gave presentations.
They discussed- Leadership Through Crisis, Sustainability & Post Covid Retail, Global Politics & Trade- A Rough Road Ahead, COTTON USA Solutions, U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, and Global Cotton Economic Outlook.
Mr. Bruce Atherley said, “We really appreciate all the support you have given to COTTON USA particularly in this terrible time that we are going through right now. We are optimistic that we will get through it and sooner hopefully we can get on our business, get back to doing things more in person.”
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association president Mr. Mohammed Ali Khokon, in his welcome speech said, “The USA is a big market for our readymade garments. Those of us who use cotton from the USA, and make clothes of it, in this case, if the duty is relaxed, then we think our garment industry business will grow more in the USA market. Moreover, we have noticed that the use of USA cotton in Bangladesh has been gradually increasing in the last 5 years.” He also appreciated the role of Mr. Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury in promoting US Cotton in Bangladesh.
Mr. Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury, Managing Director of Asana Ventures & Bangladesh Consultant of Cotton Council International said, “I would like to thank Cotton USA for their initiative, as this is a very informative event for our industry. Bangladesh used to export 100 percent cotton garments, although it is now exporting about 85 percent of the same cotton garment- which is still unique because no other garment exporting country of the world exports that percentage of cotton products. So, it is appropriate that such an event is held in our country.” He also thanked the US Cotton industry for introducing Cotton Day in Bangladesh and hoped the yearly celebration will continue in the future.
Mr. Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury introduced Mr. Ali Arsalan, Managing Director of Atiya Consulting Limited, who will act as CCI’s Consultant in Bangladesh from October 1, 2020. Mr. Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury will retire from his consultancy effective from 30th September and will be the ambassador of Cotton USA from October 1, 2020. ♦
