A sudden pressure by apparel brands to achieve a net zero goal is easier said than done as apparel producers lack the resources needed to achieve this objective. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) echoed this at a function in Dhaka.
The BGMEA president Faruque Hassan highlighted problems faced by the RMG sector to the participants of a dialogue titled “Sweden-Bangladesh Partnership in Renewable Energy within the RMG sector”
He called upon the brands to adopt an inclusive strategy in this regard while urging global brands and buyers to adopt strategies that promote the growth of both sides, including manufacturers while moving forward to achieve the net zero goal. “I would like to call upon the brands to adopt inclusive strategies that also take the SMEs into the equation to ensure sustainable growth of the entire RMG industry in Bangladesh,” the BGMEA president said.
The dialogue was part of the Sustainable Fashion Platform initiated by the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh along with prominent Swedish brands like H&M, Lindex, and IKEA. The platform was launched to combine and coordinate the efforts on sustainability within the RMG sector in Bangladesh under one umbrella. The Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and the Sweden-Bangladesh Business Council (SBBC) supported the initiative.
The BGMEA president Faruque Hassan further stated Bangladesh as a climate-vulnerable country has to invest in climate adaptation, but at the same time, it has to keep itself competitive. Bangladesh garment producers have to invest in climate mitigation to reduce carbon emissions and transition to renewable sources which predominantly SMEs in RMG cannot afford.
