Experts at a summit on Tuesday said Bangladesh apparel industry is revolutionizing the global fashion by embracing the circular economy
They observed that Bangladesh has come a long way in circularity and sustainability, this journey of industry was not smooth.
The apparel entrepreneurs are adopting sustainable practices and there are more than 200 certified green garments and more 500 are awaiting certifications.
Fashion industry leaders, organizations, and government representatives came together for the The summit titled '2nd Bangladesh Circular Economy Summit' was organized by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) in collaboration with German development cooperation agency GIZ and in association with the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bangladesh at Radisson Blu Water Garden,
Minister for Textiles & Jute Jahangir Kabir Nanak attended the event as the chief guest while Siddiqur Rahman, former President of BGMEA, Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Netherlands in Bangladesh, JanJanowski, Deputy Head of Mission, Germany Embassy in Bangladesh was present on the occasion as the Special Guest with Mostafiz Uddin, Founder & CEO, Bangladesh Apparel Exchange in the chair
Chief Guest Jahangir Kabir Nanak said that “Bangladesh apparel industry has come a long way in terms of sustainability. For the development of our country, it largely depends on the apparel and textile industry.
There have been tremendous safety improvements in the industry. The country's apparel industry is taking a lead in responsible business. While we are going forward, we need to ensure it is sustainable. Collaboration will be key for circularity and progress.”
While addressing, Siddiqur Rahman, former President of BGMEA said "Collaboration between brands and manufacturers is very important to promote the circular fashion. We are your partners. I'm requesting all the brands, please increase your price a little. Otherwise, we cannot survive."
He said Bangladesh has come a long way in circularity and sustainability, this journey of industry was not smooth. The apparel entrepreneurs are adopting sustainable practices and there are more than 200 certified green garments and more 500 are awaiting certifications.
Thijs Woudstra, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of the Netherlands in Bangladesh opined "to move one step forward towards circularity, we need to extensively and contextualize the ways to integrate robust visibility systems throughout the supply chain. This will ensure the formation and quality of materials, meeting the regulations and consumer demand for increased transparency from environmental factors.”
Jan Janowski, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Germany in Bangladesh said that ““It is high time for Bangladesh to think about more ambitious reforms. Certainly, businesses are often leading the way as pioneers in different sectors. But of course, institutions, governments, and cities also play a very crucial role in creating and enabling the conditions for a circular economy. ”
Mostafiz Uddin, Founder & CEO, Bangladesh Apparel Exchange said once it was so difficult to find out the waste percentage in Bangladesh but now everyone knows what the waste percentage in Bangladesh. Our government, private sectors, partners, and all stakeholders are working hard towards a shared vision. We all have a big role to achieve a collective vision for Bangladesh.
