The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) recently underscored the need for collaboration among all the parties of the readymade garments (RMG) sector for ensuring sustainable livelihood of workers. More than 500 garment factories in the country have registered themselves to opt for green production facilities.
These units are proceeding towards ensuring long-term sustainability, BGMEA said in a press release.The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) recently underscored the need for collaboration among all the parties of the readymade garments (RMG) sector for ensuring sustainable livelihood of workers. More than 500 garment factories in the country have registered themselves to opt for green production facilities.#
A meeting at the BGMEA’s office in Dhaka was attended by its president Rubana Huq, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Bangladesh country director Tuomo Poutiainen, representatives from the government, buyers, the European Union (EU), the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and other donor agencies.
Bangladesh has 108 Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green factories, certified by the US Green Building Council (USGBC), with 26 platinum-ranked units—the highest.
The number of green factories has been increasing considerably in the country since 2014, although the unit prices of locally-made apparel items are declining.
Terming access to finance one of the major barriers, the speakers in the meeting said large factories are investing in setting up green units, as they have little or no problem with funds.
But the small and medium ones are facing hurdles, as they need guarantee to get loans from financial institutions like banks. They suggested that the government or donor agencies should come forward as guarantors in this regard.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
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