The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited (HSBC) Bangladesh recently organised a roundtable discussion titled "Cotton Ecosystem: Strengthening Bangladesh's Apparel Value Chain" at a city hotel in Dhaka.

Moderated by Md Mahbub ur Rahman, chief executive officer of HSBC Bangladesh, the discussion brought together representatives from leading cotton suppliers and US cooperatives, global apparel buyers, leading textile and apparel manufacturers, officials from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), logistics partners, and trade bodies including the BGMEA and BTMA.

Senior representatives from Cotton Council International (CCI) and six US cotton exporters — Louis Dreyfus Company, Olam Cotton, Cargill Cotton, ECOM USA, Staplcotn, and Cotton Growers Cooperative — also attended the event. Participants exchanged views on global cotton trade dynamics, supply chain resilience, and sustainable sourcing.

Wayne Boseman of Cotton Growers Cooperative and Krista Rickman of Cargill Cotton made presentations on the global and US cotton landscape and the evolving dynamics of sourcing.

Guest of Honour Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said, "Strengthening our cotton sourcing ecosystem is vital for the continued growth of our apparel industry. BGMEA is working closely with regulators to address the challenges and leverage opportunities, including optimising the benefits of the US cotton content provision. My sincere thanks to HSBC for hosting this meaningful and timely dialogue."

Krista Rickman, senior director, sustainability and brand engagement at Cargill Cotton, said, "Representing Cotton USA at the roundtable hosted by HSBC Bangladesh, I was encouraged by the engagement from mills, manufacturers, financial institutions, and government leaders. Our discussion highlighted both the challenges of today's market and the shared opportunities to enhance quality, transparency, and sustainability across the value chain."

Md Mahbub ur Rahman, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh, said, "The very heart of Bangladesh's $40 billion apparel industry is the global commodity: cotton. As global trade dynamics shift, partnership and coordination across the value chain have never been more important. We're proud to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, and global experts to exchange ideas on challenges and growth opportunities."

Md Ashfaqur Rahman, head of global apparel supply chain, corporate and institutional banking at HSBC Bangladesh, said, "Apparel is an important segment for HSBC. With a presence in over 50 markets, the bank is uniquely positioned to connect cotton suppliers, textile manufacturers, and global buyers. HSBC has a dedicated textiles and garments team in Bangladesh and sector experts in key export destinations to support the industry."

Bangladesh, the world's largest cotton importer, is expected to see a further rise in import volumes alongside apparel export growth. Against the backdrop of current trade dynamics, the roundtable focused on building stronger linkages and collaborative frameworks to ensure traceability, flexibility, and sustainability in cotton sourcing.

TBS / HSBC Bangladesh / Corporate