Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has called for stronger public-private partnerships to ensure compliance, improve productivity and promote environmental sustainability in Bangladesh’s textile and garment industry, so that it can retain its competitiveness in the global market, said a press release.
He said factories must prepare themselves to meet the evolving demands of international buyers and emerging trade and environmental standards.
He made the remarks while addressing an event on the Skills for Self-Monitoring and Compliance with Clean and Fair Production in the Textile and Garment Industry (SCAIP) project at a hotel in Dhaka on Sunday.
“The achievements we have made so far are only a foundation, not the final destination. We must build on this foundation and move forward together with factory owners, workers and other stakeholders to establish a compliant and competitive textile sector,” the minister said.
The event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the SCAIP project, with support from the Sustainability in Textile and Leather Industry (STILE II) project.
The minister said the textile and garment sector accounts for more than 80% of Bangladesh’s total export earnings and plays a vital role in the country’s industrial economy by providing employment to millions of people, particularly women.
He noted that international buyers and regulatory bodies are increasingly demanding safe working conditions, fair labour practices, responsible resource management and transparency across supply chains.
Factories must also strengthen their capabilities to comply with new European Union (EU) policies and regulations, he said, adding that compliance should be treated as an integral part of the country's trade strategy.
Highlighting government initiatives to improve the business environment, Muktadir said the government was working to simplify procedures, reduce logistics costs and expedite licensing, compliance-related processes and port clearances.
He also stressed the importance of using the extended preparation period until 2029 for Bangladesh's graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category to retain existing trade benefits and prepare industries for new international standards.
Under the SCAIP project, emphasis has been placed on strengthening factory-level self-monitoring systems to ensure efficient use of water, energy and chemicals, which can help reduce environmental pollution and lower production and operational costs.
The event also reviewed initiatives related to the Bangladesh Boiler Code, digital inspection systems, online monitoring of effluent treatment plants (ETPs), digital environmental clearances, traceability strategies and the development of a digital data ecosystem to support Digital Product Passports.
Participants stressed that stronger public-private collaboration, clear responsibilities and accountability among stakeholders are essential to building a safe, environmentally sustainable and internationally competitive industrial sector.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the SCAIP and STILE II projects are being implemented through the German development agency GIZ.
The Ministry of Commerce is the sponsoring ministry of SCAIP, while the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) serves as its implementing partner. The project also supports the capacity of the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) to monitor workplace safety, labour and environmental standards in the textile sector.
German Ambassador to Bangladesh Dr Rüdiger Lotz, GIZ Country Director Marc Gombart, senior government officials, representatives of the RSC, BGMEA and BKMEA, labour organisations, international buyer brands and development partners attended the event.