Local garment exporters have already spent a few billion dollars to transform their production units, but despite their pleas, international buyers are not paying a premium for the products they source from eco-friendly factories.
According to local suppliers, while placing work orders, worldwide merchants and brands give preference to green factories. Thus, even during emergencies, the owners of nearby green factories don’t have to be concerned about a shortage of work orders.
Due to having several green manufacturing units, Bangladesh is a preferred destination for international retailers and brands. So, greening the factories has served one of its main purposes, which is restoring the confidence of both end-consumers and buyers in Bangladesh.
The value of Bangladesh’s garment exports during the 2013–14 fiscal year was US $ 24.50 billion. By 2023–2024, it had grown to US $ 46.99 billion. According to figures from the Export Promotion Bureau, the country supplied garment goods worth US $ 32.85 billion in July–February of the current fiscal year, gaining 4.77 per cent year over year. To draw in new business and keep hold of their current clientele, proprietors are going green with their establishments as the BGMEA aims to export garments valued at US $ 100 billion by 2030.
Reducing carbon emissions is the primary objective of greening factories, especially in light of the shifting consumer purchasing habits. Nowadays, buyers are more likely to be environmentally sensitive, favouring products with lower production-related pollution. These eco-friendly initiatives are drawing in more customers as a result.
The CEO of SM Sourcing, Mirza Shams Mahmud Shakti, stated that a lack of work orders is the reason why many traditional garment factories are not operating at maximum capacity. At his factory, though, things operate differently because, as a LEED-certified facility, customers prioritise placing work orders there.
“Though international buyers are not paying a premium price, the business in general has been greatly benefited because of the priority,” he added.
