Bangladeshi cotton brands and factories must make promises and adhere to basic principles to attain global consumer trust, said Bruce Atherley, executive director of the US-based Cotton Council International, at a seminar to celebrate "Cotton Day" in the capital yesterday. Bangladesh is the world’s largest cotton importer. It imports most of its cotton from the US to have the best quality.

An expert team of "COTTON USA", headed by Bruce Atherley, is currently visiting Bangladesh to get familiar with the country's industrial activities and production processes. The visit is aimed to facilitate the cotton supply to textile and apparel factories in Bangladesh.

New types of production having the best kind of comfort and style is needed to draw the eyes of consumers, they said. The experts were addressing an event with Bangladeshi businessmen at Hotel Le Meridian in the capital on Wednesday.

“Connecting industrial links among cotton, swing, garments, textile and apparel factories is aimed at building business relations and making more profit”, said Bruce Atherley.   

Lauding the Bangladesh Cotton Association (BCA), the newly elected president of the International Cotton Association (ICA), Salman Ispahani, addressed the activities of the international association and its national part, BCA. In his presentation, Ispahani mentioned that how the BCA and ICA provide latest information and skills to its partners including rich laboratories, testing facilities, possible production targets and so on.

The US delegates, who met with Bangladesh industry leaders at the event, made presentations on global cotton supply, US cotton growth, responsible cotton growth, contamination, and bale and packaging that would help cotton consumers, mills and importers to understand cotton in a better manner when they make raw cotton- sourcing decisions.  

The delegation introduced and celebrated "Cotton Day" by holding a fashion show with 100 per cent US cotton and cotton-made garments, a unique event where Bangladesh’s rich cotton heritage was highlighted.

Yellow, a Beximco concern, participated in the Cotton Day celebrations and its fashion show.