Pran-RFL to produce solar power for RMG industry

Pran-RFL Group, in collaboration with H&M Group and International Finance Corporation (IFC), has announced plans to generate solar power for the apparel sector, marking a significant step towards promoting sustainability within the country's vital RMG industry.

The clean electricity will be purchased by Bangladeshi garment suppliers serving the globally renowned Swedish brand Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), according to an official Facebook post by the Chief Adviser GOB today.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today, the third day of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 at the Hotel InterContinental Dhaka.

The MoU sets the stage for piloting Bangladesh's first Corporate Power Purchase Agreement (CPPA). Supported by the IFC and led by Pran-RFL Group, this project will link several of H&M's selected suppliers to a newly developed solar park.

Chinese apparel firm Handa to invest $150m

Handa Industries Ltd, a renowned China-based apparel manufacturing company for the production of superior-quality knitted textiles, dyeing processes, and apparel on a global scale, will invest $150 million in Bangladesh.

They will invest $100 million in the textile and dyeing sectors under the economic zone and $50 million in the garment industry under the export processing zone, according to an official Facebook post by the Chief Adviser GOB.

To this end, an MoU was signed between Bida and Handa at a city hotel.

Spanish clothing giant Inditex to bolster ties with Bangladesh

Spanish clothing giant Inditex expressed its intention to bolster ties with Bangladesh when Oscar Garcia Maceiras, CEO of the company, met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the latter's official residence, State Guest House Jamuna, on Wednesday.

The discussion centred on matters of mutual interest, including the evolving landscape of global trade, the expansion of cultural ties between Bangladesh and Spain, and Inditex's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives within Bangladesh.

The Inditex CEO lauded the chief adviser's speech at the Investment Summit, describing it as "very inspirational."

He announced Inditex's commitment to funding the graduate and postgraduate education of at least 50 female workers from its Bangladeshi factories through a newly signed agreement with the Asian University for Women in Chattogram.

The chief adviser commended the company's social responsibility endeavours and reminisced about his time in Spain and his longstanding association with former Spanish Queen Sofia. He urged Inditex to increase its investment in healthcare facilities for garment workers.

Holcim Group reaffirms commitment to Bangladeshi market 

Martin Kriegner, a member of the Holcim Group Executive Committee and regional head for Asia, met with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at the latter's official residence, State Guest House Jamuna, on Wednesday.

Kriegner reiterated Holcim's commitment to the Bangladeshi market, emphasising its intention to be a long-term player, according to a Chief Adviser GOB Facebook post.

Holcim, a leading global cement and building materials company, is the parent company of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh. The company has been operating in Bangladesh for more than two decades.

Iqbal Chowdhury, CEO and MD of Bangladesh Operations, highlighted the company's recent introduction of aggregates in Bangladesh, which he expects will save the country hundreds of millions of dollars in foreign exchange.

The chief adviser welcomed further Holcim investment in the country, affirming the government's pro-business and pro-foreign direct investment stance.

UK trade envoy calls on CA

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus sought greater collaboration with the UK in strengthening Bangladesh's healthcare system during a meeting with UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Baroness Rosie Winterton at the former's official residence, State Guest House Jamuna, on Wednesday.

During the meeting, both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening bilateral ties, with Baroness Winterton acknowledging the "long and trusted history" between the two nations. 

"We have a long history together, and we are pleased to see the direction of reforms being undertaken," Rosie said.

The two sides also discussed broader areas of strategic cooperation, including education, the textile industry, defence, and aviation.