Cotton USA –U.S.-based leading cotton fiber promoter and manufacturer of cotton products — regularly organizes various trade-related events and technical seminars in different corners of the globe.
Bangladesh, the 2nd largest garment exporter as well as the 2nd highest cotton importer country, is one of the key focus markets for Cotton USA.
After a successful program in last October 2021, lately Cotton USA organized another seminar on ‘U.S. Cotton and the Golden Triangle of Spinning Profitability’ in the capital’s Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden Hotel.
The USA ambassador to Bangladesh Peter D. Haas; Mohammad Ali Khokon, President, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), high officials of BGMEA, Cotton USA, US Cotton Trust Protocol members and prominent spinning industry experts were present in this knowledge sharing technical seminar.
In the welcome remarks, Ali Arsalan, Consultant and Country Representative (Bangladesh) of Cotton Council International (CCI) thanked all the millers of different mills and reminded all the Cotton USA Licensees and US Trust Protocol Members that the Cotton USA Solutions Team is available to visit factories for any issues at their mills – from Bale Management to Processing.
Later on William R. Bettendorf, Regional Director, Supply Chain Marketing (South & Southeast Asia), CCI shared current activities and initiatives of CCI for the industry.
With more than 32 years in the cotton industry, Bettendorf shared his experience focusing sustainability with the millers.
In the seminar, Steve Dyer, Global Head of Cotton Marketing at Louis Dreyfus addressed on the ‘Global Cotton Production, Supply & its Demand’.
Dyer shared the global scenario of cotton production, supply and possible demand in the upcoming fiscal years from his experience.
Darren Long from ECOM USA, Inc., addressed on the ‘US Cotton Demand & Supply’ in the seminar.
Neeraj Bhardwaj, Technical Consultant, CCI addressed the ‘Mill Mastery Course developed by Cotton USA.’
Bhardwaj emphasized on the Fiber Quality from the course in the seminar. The 8 chapter course is designed on the detailed fiber quality measures for mills and all level mill professionals.
This whole Mill Mastery Course consists of 15 distinct modules, covering 24 different subjects in total. The course starts with the U.S. cotton field and covers all major steps of cotton yarn spinning, maintenance and auxiliary processes. Beyond technical knowledge, there are modules on cotton buying, the economics of spinning and profitability in yarn production. This course is completely free for Cotton USA Licensees and US Trust Protocol Members.
In the seminar, Fayyaz Khundker, Managing Director, Ocean Network Express Line addressed the ‘Global Transportation Situation.’
Khundker showed why the container shortage crisis arose in the last 2 years, what is the current status of different seaports etc.
“These crises may be reduced once the new ports come up (work in progress) in operation,” he added.
Correlating to the transportation issue, cotton industry expert Hope Brooks, Director (Export Sales) from Staplcotn updated on the current US Transportation situation in the seminar.
Later on CCI Technical Service Head Joerg Bauersachs discussed on ‘Golden Triangle of Spinning Profitability’ topic. Bauersachs emphasized that the liaison among Mill Owner, Mill Manager & Sales/Supply Chain is very crucial. They are the main three key players for every technical, commercial & operational activities for achieving profitability in the spinning industry.
Mohammad Ali Khokon shared that Bangladesh imported 8.5 million bales of cotton from the international market, of which 11% was from the US in the last financial year. He added, around 2.5 million spindles will be added in the primary textile sector in the next few years, which means the import of cotton from international markets including U.S. cotton will be significantly increased then.
Khokon added that textile millers in Bangladesh have called for introducing direct vessel operations between the Chattogram Port and the USA to reduce the time and cost of cotton imports.
Bangladesh’s import from the US likely to be around 14% this year, but, if the direct vessel service is introduced – it will increase further, he said.
BTMA President also highlighted the time-consuming process of compulsory fumigation at Chattogram port in the import of cotton from the US. He added, BTMA is working on this issue and requested US ambassador to support in this matter.
He said the withdrawal of fumigation will also increase the use of US cotton in Bangladesh.
Peter D. Haas shared the longstanding friendship relation between Bangladesh and USA.
D.Haas said, “We have a very good relationship with Bangladesh and will work on converting it into a great relationship. Bangladesh has already passed its glorious 50 years of journey and is a proven partner for many businesses, especially in the field of textile and apparel.”
He added, US buyers always focus on sustainability and will source more in the future. As U.S. cotton is fully sustainable, the demand for U.S. cotton will increase more in the Bangladesh market, he added. He also responded positively to the BTMA president’s request.
In the program, Sharif Zahir, Managing Director of Annata Group, also a US Cotton trust protocol member, shared a presentation on RMG Prospective, Sustainability & Innovation of the sector. Annata Group has been happily working for many of the US buyers from its inception, Sharif Zahir mentioned.
Around 200 prominent industry experts from the spinning industry and brands joined this program.
