A recent event emphasised the urgent need for green industrialisation in Bangladesh, particularly in the readymade garments (RMG) sector, to ensure sustainable development and enhance the country’s appeal to foreign direct investment (FDI).
At the program titled More and Better Jobs for a Prosperous Bangladesh: Opportunities through Green Growth, held at a city hotel, experts underscored that foreign buyers increasingly favour sustainable practices in production, significantly influencing their sourcing decisions. The RMG sector stands to benefit from a stronger commitment to green practices, as international investors actively seek opportunities in industries with established environmental standards.
Dr. M Masrur Reaz, chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB), delivered the keynote address, outlining pathways for green growth that could not only lead to job creation but also enhance resource efficiency. He noted that overhauling production processes to adopt greener technologies could position Bangladesh favourably in the global market.
Md Abdur Rahim Khan, additional secretary (export) at the Ministry of Commerce and the guest of honour highlighted the critical need for aligning green growth initiatives with the country’s broader development goals. He pointed out existing challenges, such as limited access to advanced technologies and inadequate financing, that hinder the transition to sustainable practices in key sectors like RMG.
The panel discussion featured insights from experts including Dr. Atonu Rabbani, professor of economics at the University of Dhaka; Naureen Chowdhury, head of the labour rights program at Laudes Foundation; Prof. AK Enamul Haque, environmental economist and deputy vice-chancellor at UCSI University Bangladesh; and Md Ariful Hoque, director general (joint secretary) of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). They discussed the crucial role of effective policy frameworks in fostering an environment conducive to green growth, particularly in the textile and garment sectors where many factories are already adopting sustainable practices.
The discussion was moderated by Shahid Vaziralli, head of research programs at the International Growth Centre (IGC). The event was also attended by Refayetullah Mridha, president of the Economic Reporters’ Forum, and Ferdaus Ara, CEO of Business Initiative Leading Development.
