Intelligent Resources International (IRI) Ltd officially launched its Resource Tracking Information System (RTIS) on Saturday at Sheraton Dhaka.
People from different industrial backgrounds starting from brands like Bestseller, Primark, Decathlon, PDS and UNIQLO to RMG factory owners, and many other business leaders, including Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Ashraf Ahmed; Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kamran Rahman; BGMEA Director Shams Mahmud; BKMEA Director Fazlee Shamim Ehsan; Policy Exchange of Bangladesh Chairman and founder Dr M Masrur Reaz; SREDA Director Rezaul Hoq; and many more were present.
Felicity Tapsell, head of responsible sourcing at Bestseller, emphasized their commitment to sustainability through their fashion-forward sustainability strategy, in collaboration with tools like RTIS and environmental consulting partners such as Engineering Resources International (ERI).
MCCI President Kamran Rahman highlighted the enduring importance of wisdom and innovation in today's digital era while acknowledging the pivotal role of organizations like IRI in facilitating global compliance.
Kamran envisions a Bangladesh blending tradition with tech, empowering youth, promoting ethics and fostering prosperity.
Ashraf Ahmad, president of DCCI, critiqued the prevalent practice of "greenwashing" in industries, emphasizing the lack of transparency and accountability in environmental claims.
He stressed accurate environmental accounting, praising RTIS for data-driven solutions to meet this global need.
Ashraf suggested extending the solutions beyond fashion, urging their adoption in banking, finance, manufacturing and agriculture for sustainability.
Regarding the garment industry's need for accountability, Shams Mahmud, director of BGMEA, proposed the integration of RTIS to map the supply chain's carbon footprint.
He emphasized the importance of Bangladesh's RMG industry to take its place at the next level of innovations and circularity, and not be just known as another cheap destination.
Highlighting urgency in tracking and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, director of BKMEA, advocated for advanced, real-time solutions like RTIS for improved factory data collection efficiency and sustainability.
Shaikh Akber Hakim, managing director and CEO of IRI Ltd showcased their platform's transformative capabilities during the event, demonstrating features like real-time data tracking and granular footprint analysis through RTIS integration.
Akber highlighted how the platform can revolutionize environmental management in the garment industry by offering insights into department and order-wise footprint monitoring as well as project tracking.
The event wrapped up with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the symbolic beginning of the initiatives discussed, followed by dinner.
