The portal was launched at the PaCT annual meet in Dhaka on Tuesday where panel discussions focused on the issues such as low-carbon opportunities in the textile industry, said a press release of the organisation.

Panelists also highlighted on how the emerging consumer behavior and choices are now shaping the global apparel market.

The IFC said the newly launched data-driven monitoring software will provide real-time analytics for readymade garment factories, helping them in their efforts to improve use of resources, such as water and energy.

Supported by Denmark, Australia, and the Netherlands, PaCT’s multi-stakeholder partnership has already helped the industry to save 25 billion liters of water and 2.5 million megawatt hours of energy annually, said the IFC.

Launched in 2018, PaCT II works with 132 factories to adopt state-of-the-art efficiency and reduce water, energy, and chemical use to meet global standards.

Bangladesh is the second largest apparel exporter in the world, next only to China, according to the World Trade Organization while apparels account for more than 80 percent of the country’s exports.

“The textile industry in Bangladesh continues to be a priority for IFC,” said Wendy Werner, IFC Country Manager for Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal.

“Through programs like PaCT, we hope to contribute towards improving sector competitiveness by promoting resource efficiency through innovative ways and evolving with global trends,” he said.

Five textile brands – VF Corp, PUMA, Levi Strauss & Co, TESCO, and GAP Inc. – have partnered with the PaCT program. Jeanologia, Radiant Alliance, and EMKAY are the technology providers, while Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is the implementing partner.

In a video message, Dr. Rubana Huq, President of BGMEA, said “The industry has saved a huge amount of water and energy through the collaborative partnership with PaCT. We would like to think and shape tomorrow for the better and we can only do that by being the best of partners in the days to come.”