The ‘ESG Platform’ (ESG Dashboard) for the ready-made garment sector was officially inaugurated by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at the Nurul Quader Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex. This platform will play a very significant role in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) compliance and meeting new global needs in the global ready-made garment industry, a press release said.
Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Honorable Advisor to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, was present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony presided over by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan.
Christian Brix Moller, Ambassador of Denmark to Dhaka, Dr. M Masrur Riaz, BRAC University BIGD Research Director Professor Munshi Solaiman and Mapped in Bangladesh (MIB) Technical Lead Professor Matin Abdullah. BGMEA Director Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mustafiz delivered the welcome speech at the event.
BGMEA Senior Vice President Enamul Haque Khan, Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman and Director Nafis Ud Daula along with other BGMEA leaders and general members were also present at the event.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Finance and Planning Advisor Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said that the government has provided $4.12 billion in subsidies to the energy sector in the last eight months. Stating that about 8 million people have fallen below the poverty line due to the lack of effective measures taken by the previous government, he said that the government is working to address the three main challenges - the fragile economy inherited from the past, inflationary pressures and lack of employment for the educated youth. He said that the government is working to create employment through increased investment in the manufacturing sector, increase domestic resources without increasing taxes and increase government spending on education and health sectors to build a capable and healthy Bangladesh.
The advisor further mentioned that there is a strong possibility of Bangladesh graduating from LDC to developing country by 2029 and poverty will be reduced significantly through effective implementation of social protection like family card. He said that Bangladesh is moving forward with its own vision and reforms which are also being witnessed by development partners. He praised the leadership of BGMEA and said that BGMEA, BKMEA and BTMA are playing a remarkable role in implementing the vision of the current government.
In his speech, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said, “Our factories need to be more compliant and informed to meet the changing demands of the global market and the future challenges of the sustainable garment sector. This ‘ESG Platform’ launched by BGMEA will play an important role in evaluating and improving the environmental, social and governance performance of our member factories.” He further mentioned that so far 326 factories have reported on this platform, but this number is still not enough. It will soon be made mandatory for members for the overall protection of the industry and if necessary, BGMEA and BKMEA will work jointly in this regard.
In his welcome speech at the event, Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mustafiz, the main initiator and director of BGMEA’s ESG Platform, highlighted this journey that started in 2019 and said that the ready-made garment industry should not be limited to ‘compliance’ alone but should be transformed into a competitive capability. This platform, built with data from 326 factories, is a milestone in achieving transparency and sustainability in the industrial sector.
In his special guest speech, Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Moller expressed full support for the government’s economic reform agenda and emphasized the implementation of the July Charter to build an effective parliamentary democratic state through national unity, reconstruction and transition processes to achieve a trillion dollar economy.
Dr. M Masrur Riaz, Chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, said that the garment industry is at the heart of Bangladesh’s economy. For the sake of sustainable development, it is the need of the hour to move beyond traditional compliance and transform to sustainability. A strong export base is essential for Bangladesh to achieve its development goals and ‘ESG Data to Action’ will help achieve long-term success.
Professor Munshi Solaiman, Research Director of BIGD, BRAC University, in his speech, laid special emphasis on bringing all BGMEA member factories under the umbrella of this ESG platform.
The entire program was moderated by Sheikh Suchita Jahan Sneha, Chief Coordinator, Responsible Business Hub and BGMEA Center of Excellence.
It is worth noting that the Danish Embassy in Bangladesh has provided financial support for the implementation of this important initiative and BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) and Mapped in Bangladesh (MIB) are providing technical assistance. After the program, the invited guests participated in a networking session.
