DHAKA – The 2nd Bangladesh Circular Economy Summit was held on June 11 at the Radisson Blu Water Garden, Dhaka. It brought together fashion industry leaders, NGOs, and government representatives to advance recycling in Bangladesh’s apparel and textiles sector. Organised by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) with GIZ and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the event stressed the shift towards a circular economy, focusing on resource efficiency and waste reduction.
The summit featured an inaugural ceremony, four plenary sessions, three panel discussions, and an innovative breakout session, exploring strategies for circular practices in the apparel and textile industries.
H.E. Jahangir Kabir Nanak, Minister for Textiles & Jute, highlighted Bangladesh’s progress in sustainability, safety improvements, and the need for collaboration to ensure future success.
Siddiqur Rahman, former BGMEA president, stressed the importance of brand-manufacturer collaboration and urged brands to increase prices for survival and continued sustainability.
Thijs Woudstra (Dutch Embassy) advocated for robust visibility systems in supply chains to meet regulations and consumer demands for transparency.
Jan Janowski (German Embassy), called for ambitious reforms, emphasizing the role of businesses, institutions, and governments in driving innovation and investment in the circular economy.
Mostafiz Uddin, BAE founder & CEO, praised the industry’s progress in waste management and called for collective action towards sustainability and circularity.
Uddin also Highlighted the need for developed countries to share technology and expertise, positioning Bangladesh as a leader in sustainable manufacturing.
The summit emphasised Bangladesh’s commitment to sustainable practices and the global potential of its apparel and textiles sector in embracing a recycling in supply chains.
