A day-long dialogue and exhibition was held in Dhaka to promote a sustainable,
resilient, and inclusive ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh, while advancing
environmental and social compliance standards. The event was organized under the PROGRESS
project (Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector through Skills), funded by the
Embassy of Sweden and the Embassy of Switzerland, and implemented by Swisscontact
Bangladesh. Over 200 participants attended, including factory owners, international clothing brand
representatives, local advisory service providers, industry associations, financial institute, technology
service providers, NGOs, and development partners.
Delivering the opening remarks for the event, Helal Hussain, Country Director of Swisscontact
Bangladesh, emphasized the critical importance of sustainable production for the future of RMG
sector. He noted that, \u201cESG compliance is no longer optional; it is essential for remaining competitive
in the global supply chain. This green transition is not just about compliance; it is also about climate,
as Bangladesh is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world. To stay competitive in the
global market, we must be part of the solution \u2013 reducing carbon emissions, improving energy
efficiency, and building resilience into production systems.\u201d
Nayoka Martinez B\u00e4ckstr\u00f6m, Head of Cooperation (in-charge) of the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka,
in her welcome address stated: \u201cSustainability is not just a destination; it is a shared journey. Climate
change in Bangladesh affects everything, everywhere, all at once. It is therefore crucial to view these
standards holistically and assess how our industries and businesses contribute to sustainability.\u201d
She further added, \u201cWe are committed to being part of the fashion industry\u2019s journey to achieve netzero by 2050. This is achievable if we all work together. The process would be even more effective if
regulatory authorities actively participate in these discussions.\u201d
During the event, five sustainability reports from different factories, published with support from
PROGRESS, were unveiled. One of the factory representatives, M. Wahiduzzaman, General
Manager of Al-Islam Garments highlighted the importance of transparency and continuous
improvement in sustainability practices. He further added, \u201cBy focusing on safe workplace, fair labor
practices and environmental responsibility, we affirm our role in uplifting our employees, communities
and the planet.\u201d The exhibition also featured booths from local advisory service providers, and a
dialogue session emphasizing on the need for local capacity development for sustainable growth of
the RMG sector in Bangladesh. This was followed by a high-level panel discussion with panelists
including industry experts, representatives from international brands, development partners, advisory
service providers, and academia.
The panel focused on \u201cNavigating the Path to Net-Zero by 2050: A Reality Check for the RMG Sector\u201d.
Experts highlighted that increasing the use of renewable energy, unlocking sustainable financing
opportunities, and joint responsibility between brands and factories, supported by local technical
service providers, are crucial for Bangladesh\u2019s RMG sector to remain globally competitive.
Currently, renewable energy accounts for only 5.71% of Bangladesh\u2019s electricity mix. The government
aims to increase this to 40% by 2041 and achieve carbon neutrality in the power sector by 2050.
Panelists at the event emphasized that progress in the RMG sector is essential to meet these national
goals. They urged factories to adopt sustainable technologies, develop skilled human resources, and
invest in green solutions without delay.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A day-long dialogue and exhibition was held in Dhaka to promote a sustainable,resilient, and inclusive ready-made garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh, while advancingenvironmental and social compliance standards. The event was organized under the PROGRESSproject (Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector through Skills), funded by theEmbassy of Sweden and the Embassy of Switzerland, and […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":29995,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[110],"tags":[54],"class_list":["post-29994","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-economy-business","tag-54"],"yoast_head":"\n