Circular Economy in Bangladesh's Apparel Industry (CREATE)" project was launched Thursday to investigate the circular economy transition in global apparel value chains linked with Bangladesh's apparel industry and develop effective policies. Being the "largest" research-based policy-development project on circular economy in the apparel industry, the CREATE aims to contribute to climate change mitigation and social as well as economic sustainability in the global fashion industry. Sustainability is a key strategic priority for the ready-made garments (RMG) industry of Bangladesh where efforts are being made constantly to incorporate circularity into the business models, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said at the inaugural ceremony. The BGMEA has put circularity at the core of its Strategic Vision 2030, where we have pledged to increase sustainable material mix by 50 percent, in line with SDG 12, he added. Faruque said in line with the increasing global demand, Bangladesh's RMG industry is moving towards circularity. Read: Bangladesh's RMG bracing for next phase of growth: BGMEA "I hope this CREATE project will help us understand the global value chain, and develop market-based solutions to promote the development of sustainable production and consumption," he added. Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology (AUST), School of Business, and Aalborg University (AAU) Business School jointly organised the inauguration ceremony of the CREATE project. Morten Thiessen, vice mayor of Aalborg, Denmark; Professor Christian Nielsen, head of AAU Business School; Professor Muhammad Fazli Ilahi, vice-chancellor of AUST, Professor Rasmus Antoft, dean at SSH (Humanities and Social Sciences) Faculty at Aalborg University, Professor Lindsay Whitfield, Copenhagen Business School; Professor Mohammad A. Momen, director of Institute of Business Administration (IBA), University of Dhaka; Thomas Klausen, CEO of Danish Fashion and Textile; Professor Gabriel RG Benito, BI Norwegian Business School; Professor Svetla Marinova, head of International Business Research Group, AAU Business School; Prof. Dr Mohammad Amanullah, local project coordinator and former Dean of AUST Faculty of Business and Social Sciences, also spoke at the programme.

Bangladesh and Netherlands on Thursday discussed ways to have broader collaboration as demand for safe and quality agro commodities, clean energy and resilient infrastructure will rise in the coming decades.

Speakers at a discussion here on Monday said adopting circular economy principles can help address overall climate crisis, global inequality and alleviate poverty.