Bangladesh can set ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption: RMG entrepreneurs

Apparel entrepreneurs said Bangladesh could set even more ambitious targets for renewable energy adoption with buyer cooperation and government policy support.

They made the observation while addressing the Circular Textile Trade Mission Matchmaking Session at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara yesterday (12 February), said a press release.

The Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh, in collaboration with BGMEA and Bangladesh Apparel Exchange, organised the Circular Textile Trade Mission Matchmaking Session.

The session brought together representatives from 15 Dutch companies specialising in circularity and renewable energy, along with Bangladeshi apparel entrepreneurs, garment brands, and investors.

Members of the BGMEA Support Committee, top leaders of the garment industry, and officials from the Netherlands Embassy in Bangladesh, including Thijs Woudstra, deputy head of mission, attended the session.

This marks the first-ever trade mission from the Netherlands to Bangladesh as part of the Netherlands Circular Textile Programme, under which these 15 Dutch companies are visiting Bangladesh.

During the matchmaking session, participants discussed innovative approaches and solutions for textile waste management, improving labour conditions, recycling, traceability technologies, and circular design—exploring how Dutch innovations could be applied in the Bangladeshi context.

The discussions highlighted the importance of adopting circular models to address environmental challenges in the fashion industry. It was emphasised that such models can help reduce waste, lower the environmental footprint of the industry, and ultimately contribute to environmental sustainability.

Bangladesh's apparel industry is already involved in various circularity initiatives, including the ongoing Switch to Circular Economy (Switch2CE) project. This project aims to accelerate the adoption of circular business models in the textile sector by promoting pre-consumer textile waste recycling and sustainable resource utilisation.

To strengthen Bangladesh's position as a responsible sourcing destination, the Netherlands government continues to support the country's apparel industry in overcoming challenges. As part of this effort, the Circular Textile Trade Mission Matchmaking Session was organised to bridge the technological gap between Bangladeshi garment manufacturers and Dutch companies and to foster business collaboration in the textile and apparel sector.

The participating Dutch and Bangladeshi companies expressed a strong interest in working together towards renewable and sustainable energy production.