Business Desk:
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and UK-based CottonConnect Limited (CCUK) to enhance cooperation in increasing domestic cotton production, developing a sustainable and traceable cotton supply chain and marketing.
An important meeting was held at BTMA’s Gulshan office on Wednesday (6 May 2026). The development of the domestic cotton sector, policy challenges and future action plans were discussed in detail in the meeting.
The BTMA delegation was led by the organization’s Honorable President Mr. Shawkat Aziz Russell and the organization’s CEO Ms. Alison Ward led the meeting.
The meeting discussed the Bangladesh government’s target of achieving 0.5 million bales of cotton production by 2030, increasing the use of domestic cotton in export-oriented industries, and the existing 1% source tax policy. At the same time, a commitment was expressed to raise a strong demand to the government regarding the withdrawal of existing source taxes in the cotton sector.
The signed MoU includes increasing domestic cotton production, introducing regenerative farming practices, developing a traceability system, strengthening the ESG reporting framework, capacity building, policy advocacy, and increasing connectivity with the international cotton supply chain.
It was mentioned in the meeting that increasing domestic cotton production will reduce import dependence, reduce production lead time, save foreign exchange, and increase the confidence and interest of international buyers.
Directors Mr. Mohd. Khorshed Alam, Syed Enayet Kabir, and Mr. Rubayet Haider were present at the meeting on behalf of BTMA. On the other hand, Mr. Abu Bakr, Country Representative for Bangladesh and Pakistan, and Consultant Dr. Farid Uddin were present on behalf of CottonConnect Limited (CCUK).
The stakeholders expressed hope that this collaboration will make Bangladesh’s cotton sector more sustainable, competitive and have a stronger position in the global market.
