Bangladesh textile sector eyes greener future
In a landmark step towards promoting sustainability in Bangladesh's textile industry, Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) organised a high-impact roundtable titled "Accelerating Energy Efficiency in the Textile Sector" on Thursday, 10 July 2025, in Dhaka.
The event brought together senior government officials, C-suite executives from over 15 leading textile units, representatives of global fashion brands, and financial institutions, aiming to mainstream energy-efficient practices across the sector.
Mr. Alamgir Morshed, Executive Director and CEO of IDCOL, opened the session with reflections on Bangladesh's energy landscape. He underlined IDCOL's broader vision to scale up energy efficiency (EE) investments and unlock private sector project pipelines.
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Ms Farzana Momtaz, Secretary of the Power Division, attended as the chief guest. Stressing the importance of moving away from conventional energy sources, she stated:
"Energy efficiency is no longer just an environmental concern—it is now an economic imperative. I commend the efforts of IDCOL and SREDA in driving this shift."
A panel discussion featuring Mr. Nazmul Haque (IDCOL), Mr. Kamal Ahammed (M&S), Mr. Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed (Saiham Group), and Mr. David Hasanat (Viyellatex Group) focused on simplifying funding mechanisms, strengthening energy audit protocols, and encouraging practical commitments from brands to promote energy efficiency. The panel also highlighted the need for government incentives and clear policy support to embed EE practices across the textile value chain.
A key highlight of the roundtable was the launch of a $133 million credit line, co-financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and IDCOL. The facility is designed to help textile companies adopt energy-efficient technologies, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance competitiveness in global markets.
As the accredited entity for the most extensive GCF-funded programme in Bangladesh, IDCOL reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the industry with concessional loans, technical assistance, and policy advocacy, driving a sustainable transformation in the textile sector.
