Bangladesh’s garment leaders welcomed an offer from Uruguay to act as a gateway for apparel exports to the Mercosur market, a move that could give local makers easier access to new buyers and faster sea links. The step came during a friendly meeting at the office of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association where Uruguay’s ambassador met trade representatives to explore how both countries can grow business ties. BGMEA officials explained the size and skills of the country’s ready-made garment industry and said they want to reach more buyers in Latin America. Uruguay’s envoy said his country is keen to import garments from Bangladesh and to export high quality merino wool with full traceability so factories can make new kinds of products. Industry leaders welcomed the wool idea because it would help factories add wool items to their range and serve buyers who ask for traced raw materials and clear supply chains. Experts at the meeting suggested that ports and transport links in Uruguay could make it simple for Bangladeshi exporters to send grouped shipments across the whole Mercosur region, lowering costs and cutting time in transit. Participants also raised the idea of a trade agreement that could give special access or reduced barriers if both sides buy and sell each other’s goods, and they said such a deal would help the garment sector adjust after changes in trade status. Speakers made practical suggestions like sending a trade delegation to Uruguay, testing pilot shipments to check quality and timing, and working to ease visa and paperwork steps that slow down business talks. Company leaders noted that small and medium factories would stand to gain most from new market access, while larger makers could win bulk orders that help steady factory work and pay. Many also said that buying traceable wool from Uruguay could boost the value of exported items and help win orders from brands that care about sourcing and supply chain records. The meeting stressed steady steps and clear rules so pilot projects can move from sample to full production without surprises, and trade officials suggested coordinated testing of logistics, quality checks and delivery plans. Both sides voiced interest in close follow up so firms on both sides can meet, compare samples and plan orders that fit buyer needs in different countries. The tone of the talks was hopeful and practical, aimed at building steady business links that bring new customers, more product variety and better use of shipping routes. If officials back follow up missions and pilot shipments, exporters say they could quickly learn how to use Uruguay as a staging point and grow sales across South America while strengthening jobs, profits and sustainable growth at home.
