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The apparel apex body, BGMEA, on Monday sought Denmark's support in addressing concerns related to the GSP Plus threshold criteria and in advocating for Bangladesh to EU policymakers.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) also requested assistance in mobilising international brands to endorse a Unified Code of Conduct for the apparel sector.
Such a code would streamline audit processes, reduce pressure on factories, and contribute to making the industry more ethical, sustainable, and accountable, it said.
Highlighting Bangladesh's challenges in accessing Generalized System of Preferences Plus (GSP+) benefits after its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan made the appeals during a courtesy visit by the Ambassador of Denmark, Christian Brix Møller, at BGMEA's Uttara office in the capital.
The BGMEA president also expressed concern over the declining trend in garment exports from Bangladesh to the Danish market since the 2023-2024 fiscal year and urged the envoy to look into the issue.
During the meeting, they discussed key issues of the ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh, including the current situation of the sector, evolving global market dynamics, emerging challenges, and strategic priorities to ensure sustainable growth.
BGMEA vice president Md Rezwan Selim and director Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz were also present at the meeting.
Mr Møller reaffirmed Denmark's commitment to dedicating 0.7 per cent of its GDP towards the development of less-developed countries, a pledge Denmark has consistently honoured, even amid global and domestic political and economic challenges, according to a statement issued by BGMEA.
They discussed possible avenues of further collaboration between Denmark and Bangladesh on sustainability and circularity in the RMG sector, as well as improving energy efficiency in the industry.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of several ongoing development initiatives including CREATE, PaCT (Partnership for Cleaner Textile) and SWITCH2CE, all aimed at advancing green transformation and a sustainable industrial economy supported by Denmark in Bangladesh.
The meeting also discussed energy audits currently being conducted with Danish support in various industrial factories, especially in the garment sector, and emphasis was given on ensuring the audits provide accurate data.
Mr Møller sought the BGMEA President's cooperation in this matter, noting that the audits would analyze energy usage in factories and recommend energy-saving measures, including the feasibility of rooftop solar projects.
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