U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) expressed interest to collaborate with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) to facilitate Bangladesh apparel industry’s strides towards environmental sustainability.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Vice President Miran Ali have met Mahesh Ramanujam, President and CEO of USGBC in Washington, the USA and discussed various issues of mutual interest.

They had discussions on the progress made by Bangladesh RMG industry in the area of sustainability and its future priorities to continue the momentum.

USGBC President Mahesh Ramanujam highly commended the BGMEA for their exemplary leadership in developing Bangladesh as the home of the highest number of green garment factories in the world.

Currently Bangladesh has 145 factories certified as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) by the USGBC.

Among them 42 are LEED platinum-rated and 91 are LEED gold-rated units while 500 more factories are in the process of achieving LEED certification.

Bangladesh's RMG sector is also a front-runner in factory safety, responsible manufacturing and workers’ wellbeing, said the BGMEA on Thursday.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan thanked to USGBC for honoring BGMEA with “2021 USGBC Leadership Award” in recognition of BGMEA’s role and the RMG sector’s accomplishment in green industrialization.

He stressed the importance of justified prices and support of brands and retailers for encouraging green initiatives in the apparel industry.

He also sought support and cooperation of the USGBC to portray the positive image of Bangladesh as a sustainable apparel-sourcing destination in the world and highlight the significance of green price issue among brands and buyers.