Australia's Assistant Minister for Trade, Senator Tim Ayers, said that despite the transition from a less developed country to a developing country, Australia will continue to provide duty-free and quota-free benefits to Bangladeshi products. Australia's assistant minister confirmed the matter on Friday (July 21) local time during a meeting with Bangladesh High Commissioner M Allama Siddiqui.

Faruque Hassan, president of BGMEA, was present at the meeting held at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Office in Sydney.

Figure: Faruque Hassan, president of BGMEA, was present at the meeting held at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Office in Sydney.

At that time, High Commissioner Allama Siddiqui highlighted the unprecedented development of Bangladesh in the past decade in socio-economic fields including agriculture, ready-made garment industry, remittance, small economy and political stability. He appreciated Australia's growing interest in Bangladesh.

Allama Siddiqui pointed out that there are opportunities in bilateral trade and investment between the two countries in cotton, wool, LNG, economic technology, information technology related services and education and skill development. The High Commissioner of Bangladesh invited Australia's Assistant Minister for Trade Affairs to visit Bangladesh with business representatives.

Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA, highlighted various measures taken in the sector for the welfare of workers, including efficient and sustainable supply system and productivity of Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry. He also informed the Assistant Minister of Australia about the reform programs adopted at various times in Bangladesh's garment industry and the goal of BGMEA to achieve ESG by 2030 by setting up more green factories, ensuring gender equality, and creating a suitable working environment.

Tim Ayers mentioned Bangladesh as an important partner of Australia and emphasized on increasing the economic engagement of the two countries. He said the development of Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry and the strong commercial relationship between Australian buyers and Bangladeshi producers are helping to diversify the industry.

He added that sustainable trade unions and labor organizations were critical to Australia's trade and government engagement with overseas partners. He expressed interest in increasing trade with Bangladesh in the wool and cotton industries of Australia. Tim Ayers also emphasized on taking the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) signed between Bangladesh and Australia in 2021 to the next level.

At present, a delegation of 11 members of BGMEA is visiting Australia and organized a conference on garment industry in Melbourne on July 18 in collaboration with Bangladesh High Commission. Besides, Bangladesh High Commission and Bangladesh Consulate General jointly organized a meeting in Sydney today. It highlights the potential of the Bangladeshi garment industry in trading in Sydney. 35 people including Australian buyers, brands and industry representatives were present in this meeting.