Prime Minister's Private Industries and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman on Thursday said that world-renowned chain shop Walmart has expressed interest in working more closely with Bangladesh.
He said that the garment as well as other industries of the country are turning around rapidly through managing the consequences of Covid-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine war.
He told media after meeting with Walmart’s Executive Vice President Andrea Albright at his Gulshan office in Dhaka.
Walmart Vice President for Global Affairs and Business Diplomacy Paul Dyke, among others, was present at the meeting.
The Walmart delegation expressed their willingness to buy diversified products from Bangladesh, said a statement.
They noticed that newly formed Awami League government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, is approaching towards greater stability and better economic development.
Adviser Salman F Rahman added that Walmart may work together with the Bangladeshi business entities to include new products like-processed agro food, electronics, pharmaceuticals, packed spices, jute-based products and manmade fiber based RMG. The Walmart delegation responded positively.
He also informed the delegation that the prime minister has instructed all to ensure a safe working environment in all the industries of the country.
“Many of Bangladesh’s garment factories have passed the world’s highest standards of testing,” he added.
He expressed his views that along with the manufacturers, the buyer organizations should also play a proper contributory role for ensuring compliance in the industries.
Andrea Albright, executive vice president of Walmart, said: “Bangladesh’s RMG has a reputation around the world. Walmart has long been involved in the import of clothing from this country. Although the purchase order decreased a little during the corona epidemic and Ukraine-Russia war, I hope it will increase now and will be buying few new products as discussed today.”
