Bangladesh, India should build integrated textile supply chain: Experts

Bangladesh and India should build an integrated textile supply chain by easing cross-border trade, improving logistics and simplifying customs procedures, speakers said at a seminar in Dhaka on Thursday.
The call came at a seminar titled “Advancing Bangladesh-India Textile Value Chains through Seamless Logistics and Trade Facilitation”, organised by the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) in association with CEMS-Global at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BCFEC) in Purbachal.
Presenting the keynote paper, Sparrow Group Managing Director Mustazirul Shovon Islam said Bangladesh needs to expand production of value-added and higher-value apparel to maintain its competitiveness in the global market.
“India is one of the most accessible and important sources of textile raw materials for Bangladesh,” he said, calling for greater cooperation between the two countries instead of focusing narrowly on their individual gains and losses.
“Our guiding principle should be: one supply chain, two countries and one global ambition,” he said.
He said stronger Bangladesh-India cooperation could help develop a more integrated regional textile and apparel ecosystem, reduce production and logistics costs and enhance competitiveness in international markets.
Speakers stressed the need for faster logistics, simpler customs procedures and smoother movement of goods across the Bangladesh-India border. They said removing trade and logistics bottlenecks would reduce costs, improve supply-chain efficiency and create greater opportunities for businesses in both countries.
The seminar was moderated by Jabed Ahmed, chief consultant of CEMS Limited.
Among others, Amit Kumar Tiwari, vice-president of IBCCI; IBCCI Directors AKM Saifur Rahman and ATM Altaf Hossain Lotus; Amit Kumar, country head of State Bank of India and director of IBCCI; and Md Faizur Rabbee, deputy director of Invest Bangladesh, attended the session.
The seminar was held alongside the 25th Bangladesh edition of the Textile Series of Exhibitions, being held from 2 to 5 September at BCFEC.
The three exhibitions, Textech Bangladesh 2026, Dhaka International Yarn & Fabric Show 2026 and Dye+Chem Bangladesh 2026, are showcasing textile and apparel machinery, yarn, fabrics, accessories, chemicals and related technologies. According to the organisers, around 1,475 companies from 37 countries are participating with more than 2,245 booths and pavilions. More than 16,000 business visitors are expected to attend the four-day exhibitions.