Efficiency will directly affect productivity and automation is the future to achieve sustainable growth in the Bangladesh apparel and the denim industry should focus on that. Speakers emphasized at a recently concluded Forum.
The textile and apparel sector should be equipped with technologies to adopt the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) to make it sustainable environmentally and economically by moving up the value chain to strengthen its position in the global competition opined the industry people.
“It is a shared responsibility of all stakeholders to make the industry sustainable,” Md Atiqul Islam, Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) Mayor said.
Bangladesh is one of the safest workplace in the world with 101 LEED certified garment factories and more than 500 garment factories are waiting for the LEED certification. The speakers pointed out the alarming matter of degradation of water level.
The prices of garment items will go up automatically when there is value added to the apparel items and when those are produced in a sustainable manner. Production in a sustainable manner basically increases the value of products, said Shwapna Bhowmick, Country Manager of Bangladesh and Myanmar for Marks & Spencer.
The buyers need to ensure sustainability in their supply chain through their buying practices to ensure a livable wage for the millions of workers in Bangladesh.
The current textile and RMG sector have undergoing major changes with the emergence of technologies linked to the 4IR, transforming many conventional models of business in the sector.
“Bangladesh is a vital sourcing destination for the H&M, but the country should also focus more on sustainability practices in water consumption, labor practices and future safeguarding of the world,” said Pierre Borjesson, group head of sustainability, H&M.
Speaker also highlighted the degradation of the groundwater.
Pierre Borjesson, group head of sustainability, H&M said, “the water level was depleting in Bangladesh, particularly in areas adjacent to Dhaka, for over consumption of groundwater by textile mills. So the reduction in groundwater consumption will ensure sustainability in the garment sector.”
“We need to take care of our planet as we do not have another planet. Sustainable production of goods can help greatly in caring for our planet,” said Mohiuddin Rubel, a Director of the BGMEA.
