Speaker in a dialogue and launching a programme of ‘securing green transition of the textile and readymade garments sector in Bangladesh’ have emphasized policy support and easy access to green funding opportunity.

The event was organized on Sunday in the city by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) in collaboration with Sweden Sverige, an initiative of Sweden Embassy in Dhaka.

They said the entrepreneurs have built 157 green factories in Bangladesh so far, which is the highest in a single country in the world.

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“The textile and readymade garments contribute 84.4 per cent of the export income of Bangladesh and employ around 4.5 million people, mostly women. Now the country achieves top position in the world by setting up the highest number of green factories,” they highlighted.

Saber Hossain Chowdhury, MP, chairman of Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, present as the chief guest in the programme.

Faruque Hassan, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mohammad Hatem, executive president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BKMEA), Md. Fazlul Hoque, managing director of Plummy Fashions Limited and former president, BEF and BKMEA, Nazma Akter, founder and executive director of Awaj Foundation,  Mohammed Zahidullah, chief sustainability officer, DBL Group spoke at the event.

Christine Johansson, deputy head of mission and head of development co-operation, Embassy of Sweden, also spoke in the function while the programme was moderated by Dr Fahmida Khatun, executive director of CPD.

Saber Hossain urged specific proposals from the BGMEA and BKMEA, to include those in the next fiscal budget to support sustainable green transition of factories.

He also asked labour leaders and owners to work with cooperation for developing the sector which will bring benefits to workers and owners as well.

Faruque Hassan said Bangladesh achieved a significant position in the transition of green factories in the world by the initiative of entrepreneurs with huge investment, so the buyers should consider paying more as they honoured the green production.

He emphasized state initiative including policy support with easy conditions for disbarment of green funds for secured and sustainable transition of green factories.

Replying to a query he said, “We employed all the workers who had lost their jobs during the pandemic, if anyone left asked them to contract with the BGMEA, we would arrange a job form them.”

He urged incentive and tax reduction for green factories as acknowledgement of investment in these factories.

Bangladesh has 157 factories in the textile and readymade garment sector which achieved Green Factory Certificate. Of these, 47 received Platinum and 94 Gold Certificates.

The objective of the programme is to contribute towards enhancement of environmentally sustainable and climate-neutral growth in Bangladesh with productive employment opportunities for women and youth.

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As part of this programme, CPD will undertake research, expert consultation, dialogue, and outreach activities. The research will examine the state of ongoing initiatives in the textiles and RMG sector of Bangladesh and make policy recommendations.

In a keynote presentation, Fahmida Khatun stated that after Bangladesh's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category in 2026, the country will have to comply with stringent compliance requirements in many areas including the environment not only to access global markets but also to remain competitive.

The government, the textile and RMG sector need to have a clear strategy for accomplishing environmental and sustainability commitments in areas such as clean energy, waste management, robust climate actions, the emerging EU Green Deal, and Circular Economy frameworks, she said.

The programme will explore barriers to green transformation, review existing fiscal measures, identify best practices suitable for green transformation, and build up evidence on how green transition in this industry will generate new opportunities to benefit firms workers, economy and society CPD will undertake knowledge gap analysis, data generation and research consultation, dialogue, and dissemination activities as part of this programme.