The UK Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce and Industry (UKBCCI), a leading umbrella organization for British-Bangladeshi entrepreneurs in the UK and Bangladesh, is conducting its trade mission to Bangladesh from January 4th to January 9th, 2025. During the mission, the delegation will engage with prominent trade bodies and hold discussions with key advisors to Bangladesh’s Interim Government. This initiative aims to foster trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh’s garment and manufacturing sectors while promoting innovation and business growth.
UKBCCI has been instrumental in enhancing bilateral trade between the UK and Bangladesh and has expanded its influence to include business leaders from other nations. The 2025 trade mission will focus on strengthening existing partnerships and exploring new avenues for collaboration, aiming to bolster economic ties between the two nations.
Mr. Showkat Aziz Russell, Regional President of UKBCCI, highlighted the mission’s emphasis on Bangladesh’s robust ready-made garment (RMG) sector. “Bangladesh is globally recognized for its strong manufacturing capabilities and is a key hub for apparel sourcing. This mission seeks to capitalize on the country’s edge in global export competitiveness while fostering innovation in design and manufacturing,” he said.
The textile sector, which contributes over 13% to Bangladesh’s GDP, is also a key focus of the delegation. With investments exceeding USD 22 billion, the textile industry accounts for more than 84% of Bangladesh’s export earnings and retains over 30% of foreign currency. The mission aims to leverage these strengths and encourage further investment in this critical industry.
Led by the Chairman, President, and Directors of UKBCCI, the delegation comprises both established and emerging investors and entrepreneurs from diverse sectors. These include the garment industry, manufacturing, infrastructure, artificial intelligence, Blockchain, ICT, engineering, construction, logistics, banking, and financial services, among others. The mission also emphasizes the transfer of professional skills and knowledge, particularly in emerging sectors like infrastructure development and social sciences, which are witnessing rapid growth in Bangladesh.
Chairman of UKBCCI, Mr Iqbal Ahmed OBE added ” Bangladesh has been named as “Country of the Year” having made significant strides in the last 12 months, according to a report published by the globally acclaimed UK-based magazine, The Economist. UKBCCI can take credit for our ongoing commitment to supporting investment in Bangladesh, our recent campaign increased remittances to Bangladesh through proper channels by more than 25%. This remittance can be doubled within a few years if we add value to it through our NRB service industry.”
UKBCCI’s trade mission underscores the immense potential of Bangladesh as a destination for investment and collaboration. By fostering relationships and showcasing opportunities, UKBCCI continues to drive economic growth and innovation between the UK and Bangladesh.
