Economy
BGMEA calls upon buyers to adopt strategies for promoting mutual growth
BGMEA: The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, has urged global brands and buyers to adopt strategies that promote the growth of both sides, including manufacturers while marching towards achieving 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,” BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said.
He was speaking at the policy dialogue “Sweden-Bangladesh Partnership in Renewable Energy within the RMG-sector” at a Dhaka hotel on Wednesday (7 December).
Faruque said: “For a country like Bangladesh, the challenges of climate change are double-fold. As a climate-vulnerable country, we have to invest in climate adaptation. At the same time, we have to keep ourselves competitive. We have to invest in climate mitigation to reduce carbon emission and transition to renewable sources.”
“SMEs represent the majority of the BGMEA member factories. Given the ambitious goals made by brands towards sustainability, it is difficult for them to invest in climate action. With that in mind, it is imperative to adopt business modules that not only help big factories in Bangladesh but also the entire industry so that no one gets left behind.”
The Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh together with the Swedish brands H&M, IKEA, and Lindex along with the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) and the Sweden-Bangladesh Business Council have set up an initiative “Sustainable Fashion Platform” to combine and coordinate the efforts on sustainability within the RMG sector in Bangladesh under one umbrella.
The discussion was organized as a part of the initiative, which aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s global competitiveness and at the same time build a sustainable partnership.
Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, adviser to the prime minister for power, energy and mineral resources affairs, attended the event as the chief guest.
Charles Whiteley, ambassador and head of delegation, Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh; Mehdi Hasan, ambassador of Bangladesh to Sweden;
Alexandra Berg von Linde, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh; Pawan Kumar Tehlani, lead – sustainability and climate change, Business Sweden, Swedish Trade and Invest Council; Tahrin Aman, president of NCCI; and Stefan Liller, UNDP resident representative, Munira Sultana, chairperson, Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA); and Md Habibur Rahman, secretary, Power Division, Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, also spoke at the dialogue.
BGMEA directors Asif Ashraf and Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan were also present.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
