At the Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) in Dhaka on May 10, 2022, Bangladesh Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said that he is committed to ensuring that the Bangladesh garment industry Green growth.
This forum is in its third session this year and has invited more than 50 speakers from more than 20 countries/regions. Topics include: Demystifying Climate Action Climate Action), Purchasing Practice, Environment, Society, Governance (ESG), Green Finance, Closing the Loop: Circular Economy in the Fashion Industry, Due Diligence Due Diligence and Legislation, etc.
The event is jointly organized by Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Sponsors include (in order of sponsorship level): Embassy of Netherlands in Bangladesh, Cotton Council International, Epic Group, Laudes Foundation, Higg, H&M Group, Better Work Bangladesh, Prime Bank, bKash, Brac, Pacific Associates, Rahimafrooz Sola, etc.
Mostafiz Uddin, founder and CEO of Bangladesh Clothing Exchange, said: After the global clothing supply chain has been greatly affected by the new crown epidemic, this year’s sustainable clothing forum, we Bringing together all the stakeholders related to the fashion industry to accelerate the sustainable development of the Bangladesh apparel industry. This is a high-level gathering to discuss how to turn the situation around and translate the lofty goals of sustainable industry development into meaningful practical actions.
H.E. Charles Whiteley, EU Ambassador to Bangladesh and Head of Delegation, pointed out that it is very important whether Bangladesh can successfully transform into a green ecological field. H.E. M. Riaz Hamidullah, Ambassador of Bangladesh to the Netherlands, added: Promoting environmental, social and governance (ESG) in Bangladesh’s garment industry is no longer just talk, we can share our respective positions to ensure prosperity and development.
At the opening ceremony of the forum, Md. Atiqul Islam, chairman of the Dakar North City Company and former secretary-general of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that the establishment of A green, responsible and ethical apparel industry will not only benefit manufacturers, but also the economy.
He added: We must remember that this is no longer a job defined by just one party. Both manufacturers and buyers must work together to ensure that the entire production is ethical and sustainable.
Even though Bangladesh’s garment industry has made progress in terms of safety and environmental protection, Anne van Leuwen, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh, said: It is important for these stakeholders to promote the development of the industry forever. There is still a lot of work to be done for continued development, and cooperation is the key.
Faruque Hassan, secretary-general of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, also mentioned: Today, our garment factories are not only safer, but also more dynamic and more efficient. Modern, more energy-saving and more environmentally friendly. Bangladesh is by far the country with the largest number of green garment factories in the world; a total of 160 Bangladeshi factories have been certified as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), 48 of which have also received LEED Platinum certification. Among the top 100 garment factories in the world, 40 are in Bangladesh; in addition, another 500 factories are applying for certification.
He added: The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has joined the United Nations Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action (UNFCCC) and aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. 30% reduction.
