Bangladesh to Strengthen Industry Partnership
Dhaka, Bangladesh: A delegation of 11 Italian small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) specializing in textile technology and industrial innovation has arrived in Dhaka to strengthen trade ties and expand collaboration with Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry.
The business mission is aimed at promoting advanced Italian textile technologies while fostering long-term partnerships with Bangladeshi manufacturers. The delegation is accompanied by ICE Regional Director Antonietta Baccanari, along with officials from the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and Acimit, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers.
During their visit, the Italian companies will participate in a comprehensive program featuring business presentations, B2B meetings, and factory visits in Dhaka and Chittagong. The initiative is being organized in collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The mission is also supported by Italy’s Honorary Consul in Bangladesh, Salman Ispahani.
Speaking at the opening session, Italian Ambassador Antonio Alessandro highlighted the longstanding partnership between Italy and Bangladesh in the textile sector. He noted that Italian companies have played a significant role in the development of Bangladesh’s textile industry and are now committed to helping local manufacturers address emerging industry challenges.
“Italian companies have contributed to the birth and development of Bangladesh’s textile industry and today wish to provide their partners with technologies essential for addressing the sector’s new challenges, including sustainability, logistics, and growing global demand,” Ambassador Alessandro said.
ICE Regional Director Antonietta Baccanari emphasized Italy’s global reputation in textile machinery manufacturing, stating that Italian engineering combines precision, innovation, and world-class industrial design to deliver highly reliable and efficient equipment.
“Italy is recognized worldwide as a benchmark for excellence in the textile machinery sector. Our equipment is trusted across global markets for its outstanding performance and reliability. We don’t just build machines—we design the future of the global textile industry,” Baccanari said.
She also revealed that Italy exported textile machinery worth approximately €71 million to Bangladesh in 2025, reflecting the strong commercial relationship between the two countries and Bangladesh’s continued investment in modern manufacturing technologies.
Acimit, which represents more than 300 Italian textile machinery manufacturers, plays a vital role in promoting Italy’s textile engineering expertise worldwide. Collectively, its member companies export textile machinery valued at approximately €1.7 billion annually, making Italy one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced textile manufacturing equipment.
Bangladesh, the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, continues to modernize its textile manufacturing sector by investing in automation, digitalization, and sustainable production technologies. Italian textile machinery is widely recognized in Bangladesh for its quality, efficiency, and ability to enhance productivity while reducing environmental impact.
The latest Italian trade mission is expected to create new business opportunities, encourage technology transfer, and strengthen industrial cooperation between the two countries. As Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry focuses on sustainability and global competitiveness, the collaboration with Italian technology providers is likely to support the sector’s continued growth and innovation.
