BD apparel exporters to reduce 30pc GHG emissions by 2030

Industry Desk: The readymade garment (RMG) manufacturers and exporters of the country set a target to reduce 30% GHG emissions by 2030.
They will use at least 50% of sustainable materials mix and will reduce 50% of blue water footprint by this time. The sector will be able to reduce energy consumption by 30% and will use at least 20% of renewable energy by 2030.
Apparel manufacturers will invest $1 billion in sustainable communities and will create six million jobs by the targeted year, ensuring 100% institutionalization of skill development, good health and well-being employment.
They also set a $100-billion apparel shipment target by 2030, which is more than double the country fetched in the just-concluded financial year. Bangladesh fetched $42.62 billion from RMG exports in the last fiscal year with a YoY growth of 37.45%
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) organized a grand program to unveil its new vision to sustainability on 05 July at Westin Hotel in the capital where they announced their different targets to attain sustainability in terms of planet, people and profit.
Dr. Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, MP, Honorable Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament, graced the vision and logo unveiling ceremony as chief guest and Faruque Hassan, President of BGMEA, chaired the event while Abdus Salam Murshedy, MP, was present.
Also, Current Board Vice President Shahidullah Azim; Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Barrister Shahrin Salam Oishee; Asif Ashraf, Md. Mohiuddin Rubel; Harun Arvid. Haque, Barrister Vidya Amrit Khan, Enamul Haque Khan (Bablu), Md. Imranur Rahman; Hosne Ara Neela, and Sharmin Hasan Tithi, Director of Giant Group were present among others.
During the event speakers discussed about the progress of Bangladesh. They said, during the initial months of Covid restrictions, the country’s RMG exports were hit badly due to the closure of garment units, as also the cancellation of orders by buyers in the global market.
Bangladesh government promptly announced a stimulus package of about Tk105 billion for reviving the economy, of which about Tk50 billion was allocated to bail out the export-oriented RMG industry.
Overcoming many challenges Bangladesh apparel industry is flourishing with a good speed which is being led by BGMEA.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said, “We are living in a complex world where the risks, challenges and prosperity are interconnected. As global business shifts its values and vision, sustainability sits at the core. Sustainability has always been a key strategic priority for the readymade garment industry of Bangladesh. Sustainability is not only about fulfilling social, ecological and community obligations; it is also about how we remain economically viable through innovation, digitization, diversification and being more productive.”
“Our beloved association, BGMEA, which is serving as the beacon for the industry for many years, needs to adopt changes in its philosophy, vision, missions, and in its corporate identity” he added.
He also said, “BGMEA emerges with its renewed vision which is decoded by ‘nine-dots’ in its new logo. I believe the ‘dots’ will connect the positive forces and stakeholders toward the common global goals.”
The nine dots logo is the matrix of BGMEA’s scope of work and influence. The dots are arranged in columns sequentially to portray BGMEA’s journey from micro to macro, from action to impact, and from local to global. It is an organic transformation.
The connection continues when the nine dots are looked in rows. The first three dots emphasizes ‘reach’, second three dots emphasizes ‘transformation’ and the third three emphasizes ‘sustainability’. These are nine dots and together they represent BGMEA’s new identity.