Online Desk:
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) believes that Uruguay could be the ‘gateway’ or main gateway for garment exports from Bangladesh to the Mercosur market, an influential trading bloc in South America.
Today, Thursday (January 08, 2026), when Uruguayan Ambassador to Bangladesh Alberto Guayani visited BGMEA, BGMEA leaders expressed their views on this matter.
Led by BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan, Director Shah Raed Chowdhury, Director Sumaiya Islam and Director Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz also participated in the discussion on behalf of BGMEA.
Uruguayan Honorary Consul to Bangladesh Mustafa Kamrus Sobhan was also present at the meeting.
The meeting discussed bilateral trade, investment and mutual cooperation to address the challenges of post-LDC graduation.
BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan sought the government’s cooperation to increase garment exports from Bangladesh to Uruguay.
BGMEA Director Shah Raed Chowdhury said that Uruguay can act as a major ‘gateway’ or entrance for Bangladesh’s ready-made garment exports, especially in the Mercosur region.
The Uruguayan ambassador, in addition to expressing interest in increasing garment imports from Bangladesh, offered to export Uruguay’s world-class ‘traceability’ wool to Bangladesh.
Uruguayan Honorary Consul in Bangladesh Mostafa Kamrus Sobhan said that Uruguayan merino wool has an international standard traceability certificate, and Bangladeshi garment manufacturers can become more competitive in the global market by using it.
BGMEA Director Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz said that Bangladesh can strengthen its position in the Latin American market by diversifying its products by importing wool from Uruguay.
In the meeting, both sides discussed the need for Bangladesh to sign an FTA with the Mercosur bloc, especially to address the challenges post-LDC graduation. BGMEA Director Sumaiya Islam said that if Bangladesh imports ‘wool’ as a raw material from Uruguay, and in return, a special priority can be included in the FTA for ready-made garment exports from Bangladesh, then the garment industry will benefit.
It is said that both sides will benefit from a trade agreement with Mercosur. Especially, by using Uruguay’s efficient ports and advanced transportation system, Bangladeshi garment exporters will be able to easily supply products to the entire Mercosur region.
In the meeting, BGMEA Director Shah Raeed Chowdhury proposed sending a strong trade delegation to Uruguay.
Ambassador Alberto Guani said that Uruguay has requested the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry to send a delegation. He expressed the opinion that BGMEA could be part of this delegation. BGMEA leaders emphasized the simplification of the visa process.
Both sides expressed interest in working together.
