FE REPORT
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Germany's international cooperation agency GIZ have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at enhancing the global competitiveness of Bangladesh's apparel industry and promoting environmentally sustainable industrialisation.
The MoU, effective from May 2026 to February 2028, will see the two organisations work closely to advance sustainability, energy efficiency and circularity in the country's garment sector.
Officials said this is the first formal MoU signed between BGMEA and GIZ for the development of the apparel industry.
The signing ceremony was held on Sunday at the BGMEA Complex in the capital's Uttara, where BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and Gundolf Klaehn, representing GIZ Cluster Coordinator Thomas Rolf, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.
Among those present at the event were BGMEA Vice Presidents Vidiya Amrit Khan and Mohammad Rafique Chowdhury; Directors Shah Rayeed Chowdhury, Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz and Enamul Aziz Chowdhury; and GIZ Bangladesh officials Dr Michael Klode, head of the STILE II project, and Md Tanvir Masud.
Under the agreement, several initiatives will be jointly implemented through projects including STILE II (Sustainability in the Textile and Leather Industries) and SCAIP (Skills for Self-Monitoring and Compliance with Clean and Fair Production in the Textile Industry).
The Ministry of Commerce, Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Department of Environment will also remain closely engaged in the implementation process.
The partnership will support garment factories in preparing for new European Union market requirements related to supply chain due diligence, traceability, circularity and decarbonisation. The Responsible Business Helpdesk (RBH) will also be further strengthened under the initiative.
The MoU also focuses on improving chemical management in factories, reducing environmental pollution and ensuring compliance with international environmental standards through technical guidance.
Industry insiders believe these initiatives will help position Bangladesh's apparel sector as a cleaner and greener sourcing destination for global brands.
In addition, the collaboration will support energy efficiency measures in factories, conduct regular energy audits and provide technical training to develop skilled human resources in the renewable energy sector.
The agreement also includes initiatives to support workers' social protection through digital databases, enhance workforce skills for sustainable employment, establish a digital marketplace for textile waste management and facilitate technology partnerships in the sector.
To encourage greater female participation in engineering and management roles, the "Shokti Konna" network will also be strengthened further.
As part of the implementation framework, BGMEA Vice President Vidiya Amrit Khan will serve as the focal point for German technical cooperation initiatives.
GIZ will work directly with BGMEA's specialised sub-groups on "Circularity, Decarbonisation and Energy Efficiency" and "Data and Responsible Business Helpdesk" to ensure effective coordination and strategic communication.
Speaking at the event, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said the partnership would mark a milestone in establishing Bangladesh's apparel industry as a responsible and environmentally sustainable global hub.
GIZ representatives also reaffirmed their commitment to continuing technical support for the sustainable transformation of Bangladesh's garment sector.
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