Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Md Atiqul Islam on Tuesday underscored the need for sustainability plans for a good and prosperous apparel industry, UNB says. “In the 35-year journey of our industry, Bangladesh has become the second largest RMG exporting country in the world. The government wants to attain the status of a developed country by 2041. We can’t achieve the target if we don’t work together, share responsibilities and plan sustainably,” UNB quotes the mayor as saying. Atiqul, also former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), was addressing as the chief guest at the inaugural session of the Sustainable Apparel Forum 2019 at International Convention City Bashundhara in Dhaka on Tuesday. Lauding the organisers, he said Bangladesh has created a new era of business relations in the apparel industry of the world. The former BGMEA chief sought support from the government, buyers and partners for sustainable development of the sector. Several plenary sessions were held with the participation of local and international people. State minister for foreign affairs M Shahriar Alam, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Prefonataine, group head of sustainability at H&M Pierre Borjesson, country director of International Labour Organization (ILO) Tuomo Poutiainen, Denmark ambassador to Bangladesh Winne Estrup Petersen, Better Work Bangladesh country programme manager Anne-Laure Henry-Greard, senior technical director of Apparel Impact Institute An Zhou and head of Labour Right Programme, C&A Foundation Jill Tucker among others were present, reports UNB. Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) and BGMEA jointly organised the 2nd edition of Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF) with the aim of accelerating the momentum of sustainability in Bangladesh apparel industry. Meanwhile, the two-day 11th edition of Bangladesh Denim Expo, an international exposition to promote Bangladeshi denim goods, began at the same venue on Tuesday. A total of 100 exhibitors from 11 countries, including Bangladesh, are taking part in the exhibition. The other participating countries are China, Japan, Italy, India, Singapore, Brazil, Spain, Pakistan, Turkey and Germany.
Source – Prothom Alo.
