A dialogue and exhibition was held in Dhaka to promote a sustainable, resilient and inclusive ready-made garment sector in Bangladesh, while advancing environmental and social compliance standards, said a press release on Wednesday.
The event was organised under the Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector through Skills project, funded by the embassy of Sweden and the embassy of Switzerland, and implemented by Swisscontact Bangladesh.
Over 200 participants, including factory owners, international clothing brand representatives, local advisory service providers, industry associations, financial institute, technology service providers, NGOs, and development partners attended the event.
Delivering the opening remarks at the event, Helal Hussain, country director of Swisscontact Bangladesh, emphasised the critical importance of sustainable production for the future of RMG sector.
He noted, 鈥楨SG 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.鈥�
鈥楾o stay competitive in the global market, we must be part of the solution 鈥� reducing carbon emissions, improving energy efficiency, and building resilience into production systems,鈥� he added.
Nayoka Martinez B盲ckstr枚m, head of cooperation, in-charge, of the embassy of Sweden in Dhaka, stated, 鈥楽ustainability 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.鈥�
She further added, 鈥榃e are committed to being part of the fashion industry鈥檚 journey to achieve net-zero 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.鈥�
During the event, five sustainability reports from different factories, published with support from PROGRESS, were unveiled.
The exhibition also featured booths from local advisory service providers, and a dialogue session emphasising on the need for local capacity development for sustainable growth of the RMG sector in Bangladesh.
This was followed by a discussion with panellists, including industry experts, representatives from international brands, development partners, advisory service providers and academia.
The panel focused on 鈥楴avigating the Path to Net-Zero by 2050: A Reality Check for the RMG Sector鈥�.
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鈥檚 RMG sector to remain globally competitive.
