Circularity presents a significant opportunity for Bangladesh to reduce its environmental impact, improve its economic performance, and create social benefits, experts have said.
However, embracing circularity also poses certain challenges for Bangladesh’s apparel industry that must be collectively considered and resolved, they said.
An esteemed panel of industry leaders, policymakers, and experts in circular economies convened for the "Switch to Upstream Circularity Dialogue: Pre-consumer Textile Waste in Bangladesh" event at the Amari Hotel in Dhaka Sunday.
The dialogue covered the strategies, policies, infrastructure, collaborations, and innovations necessary to build a thriving circular ecosystem in Bangladesh.
This event was organized under the Switch to Circular Economy Value Chains project (SWITCH2CE), co-funded by the European Union and the Government of Finland. SWITCH2CE is led by United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with Chatham House, Circle Economy, and European Investment Bank, and supports the switch to circularity in selected global value chains.
A diverse group of stakeholders attended, including brands, manufacturers, policymakers, and financial institutions.
Saber Hossain Chowdhury MP, Chair of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bangladesh, and the Special Envoy to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for Climate Change, was present in the opening session as chief guest.
Faruque Hassan, President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) spoke at the opening session as a special guest.