Walmart, the globally renowned chain store, has signaled a keen interest in strengthening its ties with Bangladesh, as stated by Salman F Rahman, the private industries and investment adviser to the prime minister. During a meeting at Rahman’s office in Dhaka’s Gulshan, he discussed collaboration prospects with Walmart’s Executive Vice President Andrea Albright and other key representatives, including Walmart Vice President for Global Affairs and Business Diplomacy Paul Dyke.
The Walmart delegation expressed their desire to purchase a variety of products from Bangladesh, acknowledging the country’s increasing stability and improved economic development under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government. Rahman highlighted potential areas for collaboration, mentioning processed agro food, electronics, pharmaceuticals, packed spices, jute-based products, and manmade fiber-based RMG as potential products for Walmart to explore with Bangladeshi businesses.
Rahman noted the positive response from the Walmart delegation and emphasized the swift recovery of Bangladesh’s industries, including the garment sector, from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. He also informed the delegation about the prime minister’s directive to ensure a safe working environment in Bangladeshi industries, highlighting that many garment factories in the country meet the world’s highest testing standards.
In advocating for compliance in industries, Rahman stressed the need for both manufacturers and buyer organizations to play a contributory role. Executive Vice President Albright recognized Bangladesh’s global reputation in the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector and Walmart’s longstanding involvement in importing clothing from the country. Despite a slight decrease in purchase orders during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war, Albright expressed optimism about increased orders and the potential inclusion of new products based on the discussions held during the meeting.