BANGLADESH Export Import Company (BEXIMCO), the largest in the Asian country’s textiles, garments manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and ceramics, is interested in setting up business in Zambia. BEXIMCO Group director and chief executive officer Syed Husain said the Bangladeshi oldest and largest textile company has a US$1.4 billion investment with 70,000 workers.

Mr Husain was speaking when Zambia’s High Commissioner to India and representative to Bangladesh Judith Kapijimpanga called on him. This is according to a statement issued yesterday by first secretary for press and tourism at the Zambian High Commission in India Bangwe Naviley. “Through textile, garment manufacturing, printing and embroidery, BEXIMCO has partnered with global brands with ZARA being the main customer while more finished products are supplied to Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, among others,” Mr Husain said.

He said BEXIMCO also has its own flagship brand called Yellow, which is only sold in Bangladesh. And Mrs Kapijimpanga said Zambia is among the best destinations for investment in Africa. She said Zambia has abundant land, favourable government policies, access to the United States market, centrally located in Central and southern Africa and has a vibrant young population for labour. Mrs Kapijimpanga is happy that BEXIMCO follows worldclass corporate governance strategy such as respect for environmental sustainability.

“This has seen BEXIMCO keep some wildlife resources while observing the zero waste concept,” she said. Mrs Kapijimpanga said it is interesting that BEXIMCO also ensures that physically challenged people are employed in the garment section. She said it is commendable that BEXIMCO Pharmaceuticals, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange and has 500 workers, exports medicines to 50 countries in the world. BEXIMCO was founded in 1972 and deals in textiles, real estate, hospitality, marine food, commodities trading, information and communication technologies, ceramics and aviation.

The company’s largest division is textiles, which is a fully integrated manufacturer of cotton and polyester-blended garments for men, women and children, both for domestic and export markets. It engages in investment operation, agency, and trading in other commodities and products in Bangladesh and internationally.