AmeriBangla launches CottonPort to raise US cotton sales in Bangladesh

AmeriBangla Corporation on Thursday officially launched CottonPort, Bangladesh's first digital marketplace for raw cotton, aimed at connecting local spinning mills directly with American farmers to ensure fair pricing, greater supply chain transparency and stronger bilateral trade ties.

The platform was unveiled by AmeriBangla Corporation Chief Executive Officer Aswar Rahman at an exclusive event at The Westin Dhaka, marking the culmination of two years of development.

CottonPort began operations with an initial offering of 82 tonnes of high-quality raw cotton sourced directly from the US state of Virginia.

The entrepreneurs behind the initiative said they expected the platform to strengthen Bangladesh's garment exports to the American market by helping local manufacturers secure cotton at competitive prices and develop closer links with US suppliers.

Speaking at the launch, Rahman described CottonPort as a “merchant-barrier-free” platform designed to dismantle longstanding market monopolies and restore greater negotiating power to Bangladeshi buyers.

He said local spinning mills had long operated in a captive market with limited influence over prices, particularly during downturns in the industry.

More than 30 spinning mill owners have already expressed interest in purchasing US cotton directly through the platform, according to Rahman.

“By purchasing directly from American farmers, a strong bond and bilateral relationship will be built between Bangladeshi manufacturers and the US market, paving the way for massive growth in Bangladeshi exports to the US over the next few years,” he said.

“We are offering US cotton at reasonable prices because we collect it directly from American farmers. In the future, we will try to build warehouses in Bangladesh,” Rahman added.

CottonPort operates as a 24-hour digital marketplace exclusively trading US-grown cotton directly sourced from farmers.

One of its key features is a dynamic pricing system under which commodity prices decline systematically each day until a buyer accepts a bid.

The platform also aims to improve logistical efficiency by trading raw cotton by container, allowing smaller spinning mills to purchase directly. All listed containers are pre-shipped and are en route to Chattogram Port for direct delivery to buyers' warehouses.

The supply chain is supported by All American Cotton traceability certification, alongside US Customs documentation and support, according to the organisers.

During its initial trial phase in 2026, CottonPort plans to handle up to 10 containers a month. The company aims to expand the operation to as many as 1,600 containers monthly by 2028.

AmeriBangla Corporation has set a longer-term goal of helping expand bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the United States from an estimated nearly $10 billion at present to $100 billion by 2045 through commodity exports, machinery trade and capital partnerships.

The launch event was attended by industry leaders and dignitaries, including Prime Trading Corporation Proprietor Yousuf Bin Razzaque, Divine Textile Head of Marketing Khurshid Alam Rimon, former FSCD Director General Brig Gen Engineer Ali Ahmed Khan (Retd), former Bureau Veritas RP Country Chief Executive Md Golam Kibria, and International Cotton (InterCot) Managing Director Afsana Rahman.

AmeriBangla Corporation was established by non-resident Bangladeshis living in the United States with the aim of promoting Bangladesh and strengthening its commercial presence in the American market.