Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and  German development agency GIZ have signed an agreement to accelerate sustainability, green industrialisation, and digital transparency within the country’s Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector.

A partnership agreement was signed with an 11-point charter of demands and a strategic cooperation framework at a ceremony held today (Sunday) at the BGMEA Complex in the capital.

The initiative aims to help the sector navigate mounting global economic pressures and comply with evolving international trade regulations.

Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate on enhancing the environmental standards of Bangladeshi factories.

Key focus areas include promoting LEED-certified production and reducing the carbon footprint of the apparel industry, addressing the ongoing energy crisis by promoting renewable energy adoption and improving resource management within factories, implementing better waste management and recycling practices to align with global circular fashion trends.

A significant portion of the partnership involves the digitalisation of sector monitoring.

This includes the implementation of digital audits for national tax returns and the selection of over 87,000 taxpayers for tech-based transparency checks.

The project will also focus on a "one-stop service" model for licenses and permits to reduce the time and complexity currently faced by factory owners.