Dhaka: Bangladesh-India Cotton Festival 2016, jointly arranged by Bangladesh Cotton Association (BCA) and Indian Cotton Association Limited (ICAL) was held in the city on Saturday.  

The event was held in cooperation with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI).

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmad inaugurated the festival.  

High Commissioner of India Harsh Vardhan Shringla attended the event as the guest of honour.  

The event was attended by delegates from Bangladesh, India and various other countries.  

It included useful sessions on cotton production and challenges; port facilities in Bangladesh; sea ports and land ports infrastructure in Bangladesh.  

Addressing the inauguration progamme, High Commissioner Shringla drew attention to the fact that India was the largest supplier of cotton and cotton yarn to Bangladesh. Cotton and cotton yarn/thread and cotton fabric was the single largest commodity export from India and it accounted for about 22.5% of India's total exports to Bangladesh, he said.

Apart from the President of the Indian Cotton Association Limited, Heads of major Industry Associations of Bangladesh, such as FBCCI, IBCCI, BGMEA, BKMEA, BTMA were also present.