Bangladesh, China deepen green textile cooperation

Published : Thursday, 14 May, 2026 at 3:42 PM Count : 8

Bangladesh and China have expressed strong interest in expanding cooperation in the green textile and garment sector, focusing on sustainable production, advanced technologies and long-term industrial collaboration.

The views were shared during the inauguration ceremony of the “2nd Bangladesh-China Green Textile Expo (BCGTX) 2026” held at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in capital on Thursday morning.

The three-day exhibition has been organised by Savor International Limited and co-organised by Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh (CEAB), with support from the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bangladesh.

Speaking as the chief guest, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said cooperation between Bangladesh and China is now essential for the future growth of the textile and garment industry.

He said China has become a global manufacturing hub through technological advancement, industrial efficiency and continuous innovation, which Bangladesh can learn from to modernise its own textile sector.

The minister urged Chinese investors to increase investment in Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry, saying such partnerships would create employment opportunities and ensure mutual economic benefits for both countries.

He also stressed the importance of sustainability in industrial production, particularly the efficient use of water, electricity and gas resources in textile manufacturing.

Referring to Bangladesh’s globally recognised green factories, he said the country has already made significant progress in sustainable manufacturing through strong investment and long-term vision.

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador Yao Wen said China is ready to work closely with Bangladesh to accelerate green transformation in the textile industry.

He said China is opening its market to more Bangladeshi products. After importing fresh mangoes from Bangladesh last year, China now expects to import Bangladeshi jackfruit as well.

The ambassador added China will support the introduction of energy-efficient machinery, eco-friendly materials, digital printing and smart manufacturing technologies to strengthen Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the global supply chain.

Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBA) President Md Abdul Hamid Pintu said the textile industry is rapidly changing through sustainability, automation, innovation and smart manufacturing.

He said the expo offers Bangladeshi entrepreneurs an important opportunity to explore modern technologies and strengthen professional relationships with Chinese companies.

Pintu also highlighted the growing importance of man-made fibres, saying China is currently leading this sector globally and Bangladesh can be benefited from deeper collaboration beyond traditional buyer-seller relations.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Director Shah Rayeed Chowdhury said sustainability has become an essential issue for the future of the industry rather than just a corporate trend.

He noted that trade between Bangladesh and China reached USD 18.89 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year, reflecting the growing economic relationship between the two countries.

President of Chinese Enterprises Association in Bangladesh Han Kun, Vice President of Overseas Chinese Association in Bangladesh Lisa Lu, President of Bangladesh China Chamber of Commerce and Industry Mohammad Khorshed Alam (BCCCI and Managing Director of Savor International Limited Md Faizul Alam were also present at the event.

Following the inauguration ceremony, invited guests from both countries visited different stalls at the expo.

Exhibitors at the event include Shanto-Mariam University of Creative Technology, Academy of Garments Technology Bangladesh, Monpura Group, Yuemei Bangladesh, Rupali Group and Southeast University.

Organisers said the exhibition features eco-friendly and recyclable textile technologies, along with B2B meetings, seminars and panel discussions, with participation from leading entrepreneurs and industry representatives from Bangladesh and China.

The expo will remain open to visitors until Saturday, from 10:00am to 7:00pm.

FP/MI