US Embassy Dhaka celebrated Cotton Day 2024, an event organised by Cotton Council International (CCI), a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) cooperator association.
The ninth annual edition of Cotton Day Bangladesh, held yesterday (10 December) at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), included key stakeholders from the cotton and garment industries to discuss and promote sustainable garment supply chains using US cotton.
“American cotton farmers utilize advanced agricultural practices and cutting-edge technology to produce some of the finest cotton in the world. This dedication to excellence ensures that US cotton meets the highest standards of quality and sustainability, making it a preferred choice for textile manufacturers globally” US Charge d’Affaires a.i. Megan Bouldin noted during the inaugural session.
A key highlight of Cotton Day was the focus on the US Cotton Trust Protocol. This program, designed by the US cotton industry, provides brands and retailers with verified sourcing data and sustainably grown cotton. The US Cotton Trust Protocol now boasts over 200+ supply chain members from Bangladesh and over 30 international brands and retailers. CCI also presented upon the Mill Performance Index, an industry-first benchmarking tool for spinning mills.
Showkat Aziz Russell, the President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) also discussed the importance of quality inputs to Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector. These remarks underscored the importance of the strong trade relationship between the United States and Bangladesh, with US cotton exports to Bangladesh valued at $337 million in 2023.
The event brought together stakeholders from cotton spinning mills, garment manufacturers, brands, and trade representatives, fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange to promote sustainable practices in the garment industry.
Cotton Day Bangladesh 2024 proved to be an enriching experience for all participants, providing valuable insights into the future of sustainable garment supply chains and the pivotal role of US cotton. The discussions and presentations highlighted the importance of sustainability, innovation, and compliance in the global textile industry.
