Once infamously termed by Henry Kissinger as an “international basket case,” Bangladesh has now become a basket full of wonders, it seems. Bangladesh is now considered one of the next 11 emerging market economies, and the second-fastest growing economy, as of 2016, according to the International Monetary Fund.
This drastic transformation, that too within a time-span of only 35 years, is a development miracle. It is needless to mention that Bangladesh’s RMG sector has played a pivotal role to that end. Last fiscal year, this sector contributed 82% of the overall export earnings of the country, which accounts for $28 billion, and employed more than four million workers, the majority being women.
The Bangladesh economy is now at the take-off phase of development, and requires a focused strategy to pursue the incumbent government’s long-term goal of becoming a developed country by 2021.
The Bangladesh government has set an export target of $60bn by 2021, when Bangladesh will be celebrating its 50th anniversary of independence. In line with this national target, Bangladesh’s RMG sector has taken up the challenge of achieving it, and that too in a sustainable manner.
Bangladesh’s RMG industry, being the second largest RMG exporter in the whole world, thankfully, realised that environmental sustainability has a global demand and can act as a competitive factor to keep its strong foothold in the global apparel supply chain
Now, we’re all quite aware that Bangladesh has been identified as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, it is understandable that, with a population over 160 million, the impact of climate change will be huge. Also, as a young nation, Bangladesh has already showed remarkable success in economic growth and social indicators.
There always exists a negative correlation between the environment and economic advancement. Economic advancement fosters the depletion of natural resources and creates pollution. The UN recently declared the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) where most of the targets are related to preserving environmental integrity.
Bangladesh’s RMG sector, being the engine of economic growth, recognises the importance of environmental sustainability while also achieving economic development.
In recent years, a good number of RMG and textile factories have achieved the prestigious Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC).
LEED is the globally accepted certification system for green buildings, which are environmentally sound and resource-efficient throughout its entire life cycle. A LEED-certified factory building means a state-of-the-art facility that addresses every possible environmental aspect of the factory and maintains harmony with the natural system.
A green building can reduce energy consumption, carbon emission, water usage, and solid waste alongside the practice of reusing and recycling whenever possible.
It is a matter of great delight that the number of green-certified buildings is increasing in Bangladesh. To date, 35 projects have been certified by USGBC, of which, 33 are RMG factories. More importantly, a further 230 LEED projects have been registered by USGBC, of which, around 150 belong to the RMG sector.
It can be predicted that, within the next five years, our RMG sector will have more than 500 world-class factory buildings certified by LEED. A green factory building is also best placed to address workers’ comfort by ensuring ambient air quality, hygiene, and thermal comfort standards.
Remi Holdings LTD, an RMG factory and washing plant belonging to Bitopi group, recently achieved LEED Platinum certification with a score of 97 points -- making it the highest-rated green RMG factory and washing plant in the world.
After two very tragic incidents three years ago, the nation’s RMG sector experienced a drastic shake-up. Economic growth was threatened, but our entrepreneurs swiftly responded to the challenge, and now our RMG industry is the only one in the world to have been inspected, and its more egregious problems rectified, by independent organisations and bodies.
Bangladesh’s RMG industry, being the second largest RMG exporter in the whole world, thankfully, realised that environmental sustainability has a global demand and can act as a competitive factor to keep its strong foothold in the global apparel supply chain.
It can be hoped that our government increases incentives and places policies that encourage the growth of green factories.
Faruque Hassan is Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association.