Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) formally placed its proposal to the Indian High Commissioner on Sunday, seeking allotment of land in India to set up a warehouse and distribution centre. BGMEA President Md Atiqul Islam handed over the proposal to the Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran at the latter’s office. Earlier, India sought a proposal from BGMEA over its investment plan in India. The business leaders, led by FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmed, demanded 50 acres of land in India for investment during a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 07. “The land will be procured in the name of a company, formed by BGMEA, BKMEA and others, to set up a warehouse and distribution centre, primarily for RMG products,” the proposal read. According to the proposal, the leaders intend to invest about $25 million in India for setting up the warehouse and distribution centre. It also included a plan to establish around 1,000 retail stores in various Indian cities to display and sell locally-produced apparel products to increase the exports to $1.0 billion within the next few years. The BGMEA leaders said they are hopeful of obtaining necessary permissions from the Indian government on fast-track basis. The leaders requested the Indian High Commissioner to take up the matter to the relevant authorities of India to facilitate allotment of land in favor of the proposed company as soon as possible, preferably in three months.
