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Fakir Fashion Ltd, one of the country’s leading apparel exporters, has unveiled its first sustainability report, titled “Greener by Design.”
The report was launched on Wednesday at an event held at the Grand Ballroom of Sheraton Dhaka.
Speaking at a panel discussion titled “From Compliance to Competitive Advantage: Leading Bangladesh’s Evolution into a Global Sustainable Apparel Hub,” participants said sustainability is no longer just about compliance; it has become a key driver of competitiveness in the global market.
Representatives from global brands and buying houses, including H&M and Inditex, highlighted the challenges of implementing sustainable practices while maintaining business growth. Officials from C&A, Tom Tailor, New Yorker, NEXT, and El Corte Inglés were also present.
According to the report, the company has made notable progress across key sustainability indicators, including a 19 per cent reduction in waste, a 75 per cent decrease in greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity, and a 13 per cent cut in energy consumption.
The company also reported harvesting 11.7 million litres of rainwater and continuing its investment in workforce development.
Industry insiders said such initiatives signal a broader shift in Bangladesh’s apparel sector, where sustainability is increasingly being viewed as a strategic advantage rather than merely a compliance requirement.
ILO Country Director Max Tunon said maintaining social and environmental standards should not be seen as a cost, but as a business benefit.
He described the initiative as a good example for others to follow and called for collective efforts to protect the environment.
Speaking at the event, EPB Vice-Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif said that despite global challenges, Bangladesh’s exports remain resilient, contributing around $40 billion annually to the economy. He urged a strategic shift toward ESG initiatives and man-made fibres to help the country remain competitive.
Also speaking at the event, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem said Fakir Fashion Ltd had set a milestone by becoming the first factory to publish a sustainability report under their joint initiative. He noted that environmental and social accountability are now global priorities, not merely conceptual issues.
Fakir Kamruzzaman Nahid, managing director of Fakir Fashion Ltd, said: “Our promise is simple: to build sustainable clothes for a sustainable future.”