U.S. Embassy Dhaka Celebrates Cotton Day 2024

Coton Day 2024 observed by the US Embassy in Dhaka.

Dhaka, December 11, 2024 – U.S. Embassy Dhaka celebrated Cotton Day 2024, an event organized by Cotton Council International (CCI), a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) cooperator association. The ninth annual edition of Cotton Day Bangladesh, held yesterday (December 10) 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 U.S. 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 U.S. cotton meets the highest standards of quality and sustainability, making it a preferred choice for textile manufacturers globally” U.S. Charge d’Affaires a.i. Megan Bouldin noted during the inaugural session.   

A key highlight of Cotton Day was the focus on the U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol. This program, designed by the U.S. cotton industry, provides brands and retailers with verified sourcing data and sustainably grown cotton. The U.S. 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. 

Mr. 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 U.S. cotton exports to Bangladesh valued at $337 million in 2023.  – US Embassy press release