Bangladeshi Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman on Tuesday emphasised the apparel industry’s critical role in the country’s economic growth but urged it to prioritise sustainability and ethical practices.
“The apparel industry is pivotal in Bangladesh’s economic growth and development. However, to sustain this momentum, we must prioritise sustainability and ethical practices,” he said while speaking at the Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) 2024.
The SAF 2024 was held in Dhaka by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange in association with ILO-IFC Better Work Bangladesh, GIZ, and WaterAid. It brought together national and international partners, Government representatives, and business leaders to discuss how to create a more ethical and sustainable future.
Charles Whiteley, the EU’s ambassador and head of the delegation to Bangladesh, emphasised the importance of international cooperation and reiterated the EU’s commitment to aiding Bangladesh in its pursuit of sustainability.
“Development cooperation plays a crucial role in promoting ethical practices, environmental conservation, and social inclusion within the apparel industry,” Whiteley noted.
According to him, the Sustainable Apparel Forum’s mix of sustainable solutions, fair prices, ethical consumption, and the circular economy is essential to ensuring that all parties gain from the green transformation.
Bangladesh is an important player in the global garment supply chain, being the second largest exporter of RMG and employing over four million people in the industry.
This year’s SAF 2024 was planned to bring together industry participants to promote discussion, exchange best practices, and motivate action in the direction of a more sustainable future for the apparel sector.
