Inamul Haq Khan, acting President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has urged global fashion brands to adopt a shared-responsibility model to support Bangladesh’s shift toward a circular and low-carbon apparel industry. He made the remarks at the Control Union Sustainability Conference 2025, held in Dhaka on 26th November.
Speaking before an audience of industry leaders, policymakers, NGOs and international partners, Inamul Haq emphasized that global buyers are increasingly prioritising renewable energy use, carbon-emission reduction and modernised manufacturing systems. However, he warned that meeting these expectations requires significant capital investment—an ongoing challenge for Bangladeshi manufacturers who face high borrowing costs and limited access to long-term green financing.
He noted that small and medium-sized garment factories are the hardest hit, as many lack the financial capacity to invest in circular production systems, rooftop solar installations, advanced wastewater treatment facilities and energy-efficient technologies.
“Sustainability is no longer a choice. But manufacturers cannot shoulder the entire cost of this transition. Without authentic buyer–supplier collaboration, progress will remain slow,” he said.
Inamul also highlighted Bangladesh’s strong environmental track record, pointing out that the country now hosts 268 LEED-certified green garment factories—more than any other nation—cementing its status as a global leader in sustainable apparel manufacturing.
Participants from government institutions, development organisations and trade bodies echoed the call for enhanced international financing mechanisms and stronger policy coordination to support Bangladesh’s journey toward sustainable industrial transformation.
