Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has formally sought land from India to set up warehouse and distribution center in Gujarat. The trade body submitted a formal proposal to the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran yesterday. “The process begins here with the submission of proposal,” BGMEA president Atiqul Islam told Dhaka Tribune. He said the high commissioner had received the letter and would dispatch it to the Indian government. During a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Bangladesh on June 7, the BGMEA president informally sought a 50-acre land in India for a warehouse and distribution centre. PM Modi gave an assurance of considering the proposal. In the letter signed by BGMEA president, the apparel manufacturers requested the Indian envoy to take the matter to the relevant authorities. BGMEA said they wish to get a positive response from the Indian authorities as soon as possible, preferably in three months. According to the proposal, the land will be procured in the name of the company formed by BGMEA, BKMEA and others. The trade bodies will make an investment of approximately $25m to set up the warehouse and distribution centre. The apparel makers will open 1,000 retail stores in different Indian cities to display and sell out products to earn a sum of $1bn in next few years, according to the BGMEA proposal. The RMG manufacturers expressed hope to get necessary permission from the Bangladesh government on fast-track basis. “We are all set to explore the Indian apparel market on a large-scale basis, and if the government helps us by providing land, Bangladesh will be able to secure a significant market share in the neighbouring country,” said Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, senior vice president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and former BGMEA president.
