BGMEA President Faruque Hassan on Wednesday urged Germany-based Otto Group to further explore business opportunities with garment suppliers in Bangladesh, highlighting the South Asian country’s potential as a reliable and competitive sourcing point for diverse high-end products.

A delegation from Otto Group, a renowned retail company, met with the BGMEA chief to discuss exploration of new avenues to increase Otto's sourcing from Bangladesh, especially high-value garment products, along with other industry-related issues.

Faruque Hassan emphasised the need for strengthening partnerships with Otto’s Bangladeshi suppliers to facilitate the design and manufacture of high-end apparel items.

The Otto delegation included Sergio Bucher Rodriguez, member of the conglomerate’s executive board; Heidi Sabina Stevens, chief executive officer at Otto International Hong Kong Ltd; Weronika Sosulska, key accounts manager, Bonprix; Raksha Nanerjee, key accounts manager, Witt Group; and Mehtap Mir, human resources chief at Otto’s Bangladesh office.

Newly elected BGMEA Director Mesbah Uddin Khan and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Trade Fair Mohammad Kamal Uddin were also present at the meeting.

During the discussions, Faruque Hassan provided insights into Bangladesh's garment industry, highlighting the advancements achieved in workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers’ welfare.

He highlighted the industry's ongoing initiatives and efforts to diversify products, with a particular focus on non-cotton and high-end segments as well as innovation in product development and process optimisation.