Staff reporter:
Industry experts today stressed the need for combining environmental compliance with measurable innovations in industrial management to enhance the global competitiveness of Bangladesh’s textile and garment sector.
They made the remarks at a seminar titled “Technical Seminar on Advancing Innovation and Sustainability Management” held today in the capital as part of Textile Innovation Expo 2026.
Experts from the garment and textile sectors, policymakers and sustainable development representatives took part in the seminar.
They discussed effective strategies to address stringent international regulations as sustainable production systems are becoming a mandatory requirement in global garment trade.
The keynote papers were presented by Urmi Group Sustainability Lead ABM Faqrul Alam and ZDHC Foundation Bangladesh Country Manager S M Raihan Hossain.
Speakers said the global fashion industry accounts for around eight percent of the world’s total greenhouse gas emissions and 20 percent of wastewater.
They said the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and the introduction of the mandatory Digital Product Passport require brands to seek concrete evidence of responsible resource use throughout their supply chains.
The speakers also said Bangladesh has more than 290 LEED-certified green factories. Although the country earns US$39.34 billion from merchandise exports, around 1,500 billion litres of water are used annually in textile wet processing.
In this context, they noted that efficient resource use and chemical management would play an important role in maintaining long-term competitiveness.
Md Abdul Muhit, Sustainability Manager of Amin and Jahan Corporation Ltd. moderated the panel discussion.
The panelists include Head of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Bangladesh University of Textiles (BUTEX) Prof. Dr. Ummul Khair Fatema, DBL Group Senior Manager of Sustainability Mashook Mujib Chowdhury, Envoy Textiles Limited Additional General Manager of Sustainability Mohammad Al Tauhidul Islam and Mehedi Hasan Rubel, Country Relationship Manager, Bluesign Technologies.
At the end of the seminar, Textile Innovation Exchange (TIE) Chairman Engineer Ehsanul Karim Kaiser handed over mementos to the panelists.
