Bangladesh must prepare for shorter production runs
We are not geared for such runs in the same way that some manufacturers in Europe are.
1w ago
Environmental compliance may weed out smaller garment factories
Will we see an industry which has fewer and larger players?
2w ago
The complicated issue of paying 'living wages'
Better wages cannot be introduced by any one actor alone.
4w ago
For the RMG industry, being sustainable is easier said than done
What happens when you have done all that you can, but your emissions continue to go in the wrong direction?
Collaboration is in our collective interest
Without fashion retailers and their suppliers working together, our industry as a whole will continue to see emissions rising.
The economic case for renewable energy
It is time to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels altogether.
There is a way to decarbonise RMG manufacture
How can we reduce CO2 emissions associated with our industry?
Innovation key for Bangladesh to remain a global RMG leader
As we head into 2023, there is a sense of trepidation in the business landscape. As 2022 drew to a close, it felt at times like many companies were limping towards the end of the year.
Why carbon emissions could cost Bangladeshi RMG makers
Targets for carbon emissions are closing in fast on some of Bangladesh's largest trading partners. Some have set targets for 2030. Things are moving more quickly than anybody could have imagined on this issue.
Isn't it time we stopped running after the GSP?
I am not ruling out the possibility of Bangladesh being granted a place in the GSP+. I would rather argue that we need to also prepare for a time when we can stand on our own two feet as far as international trade is concerned. To do this, I believe we now need to make faster moves on bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and also preferential trading agreements (PTAs) with some of our existing trading partners, where we can negotiate mutually gainful benefits and opportunities. It is a new game that our government and businesses must start preparing for.
Talk of banning textile waste raises key questions for Bangladesh
In theory, this sounds like a good idea, but it is not so straightforward.
2022 wasn’t all bad for RMG makers. Here’s why
There is anecdotal evidence that investment is taking place to upgrade operations to meet the demands of international customers.
The pollution made in China
The discussion on holding the largest emitter to account was notably lacking at the conference.
Uncertain times ahead for RMG business
As garment makers, we cannot afford to absorb all cost increases along the supply chain.
Let's not forget RMG workers in the race to net zero
My biggest worry in this situation is for our RMG workers, who are among the most vulnerable parts in the global fashion supply chain.
Volatile energy could become the norm for garment makers
Global energy challenges are continuing to impact Bangladesh's garment industry.
Bangladesh needs to rely less on EU, US markets
By limiting ourselves to these two markets, we are missing out on a whole world of opportunities.
The bill for climate change impacts should be shared
Climate change is a problem which was (largely) made in the West, but we are feeling its impacts in countries like ours more than ever.
Five ways the dollar crisis impacts RMG makers in Bangladesh
In recent months, the Bangladeshi taka has plummeted to new depths against the US dollar amid a worsening foreign exchange reserve crisis.
Bangladesh well-placed to ride out recession
Recessions don’t happen overnight, and people don’t stop spending from one day to the next.
RMG makers can go digital to remain visible
As the global economy is threatened by recession, RMG makers will have to come up with strategies to deal.
Don't let fuel shortage undo RMG success
In recent months, global energy prices have soared, and ready-made garment (RMG) makers in Bangladesh have been feeling its impacts these past few weeks.
RMG makers must adapt to the ongoing volatility
It seems that just as we recover from one crisis – the global pandemic – another one begins.
Storytelling can help Bangladeshi RMG makers stand out
RMG makers in Bangladesh have a compelling story to tell. And there is no better time to start doing it than now.
How garment suppliers should respond to a PR crisis
In the fashion industry, public relations is a business-critical discipline.
Bangladesh RMG industry: Expansion without a plan would be dangerous
Enhancing production capacity now, without any feasibility studies or without regard to what future headwind we may be facing, would be risky and reckless.
Green finance must be open to SMEs
Despite Bangladesh having a large number of green factories, the SMEs in our garment industry are still struggling to access green finance.
We need consensus on climate goals
Garment makers, governments, NGOs and fashion retailers all agree on one thing: carbon emissions in the clothing production must be reduced. Our industry is one of the world’s most emissions-intensive, and it is simply not sustainable in its current format.
Let’s capitalise on the booming RMG business
Two years ago, garment order books were empty as Covid broke out and shut down the main global markets for Bangladesh.
Bangladesh: A blueprint for sustainable supply chains
Everywhere I go I hear the same maxim: sustainability is the only word forward for the fashion industry.
For real change, listen to RMG suppliers
We’ve spent so many years going round in circles on various issues impacting garment supply chains.
Creative policies needed to support RMG makers
While Covid-19 has sent shock waves through the ready-made garment (RMG) supply chains that continue to reverberate, there is also a broader issue that needs more attention: sustainability.
PR is the missing link in RMG sector
“Publicity is absolutely critical. A good PR story is infinitely more effective than a front page ad.” This quote is from Sir Richard Branson,
Sustainability’s biggest sell? It’s profitable
Sustainability should not be a hard sell. And yet, in our industry, so many garment makers continue to look at it as a financial burden—a potential drain for their businesses.
We must all share the pain of rising prices
A host of challenges await garment makers as 2022 progresses.
For RMG, digitisation is the way to go
New developments in technology, robotics, automation and digitisation are something all garment manufacturers need to be mindful of. Knowledge, as they say, is power.
Due diligence laws must be a shared burden
We recently saw the announcement of new supply chain “due diligence” laws by the European Union (EU), which are aimed at making multinational businesses accountable for social and environmental transgressions in supply chains.
Don’t let labour shortage derail our RMG momentum
Our RMG industry has been characterised by the phrase “feast or famine” these last two years. After Covid-19 broke out in early 2020, clothing orders were extremely hard to come by for a period of time.
What about the ethics of fashion retailers?
“UK retailers ditch unethical suppliers,” cried a recent headline in several international news outlets. Did I read that correctly?
We must keep an eye out for Pakistan
Recently, I read that Pakistan, a major competitor of Bangladesh in garment and textile production, had hit record textile exports. The country posted an uptick in textile exports year-on-year of 40 percent in FY2021-22 to the level of USD 21 billion.
Future bright for RMG sector after record year
The future looks bright for Bangladesh’s RMG sector after a period of profound uncertainty due to the global pandemic. The latest apparel export figures show that, despite the coronavirus pandemic and global lockdowns in key markets, Bangladesh set a new record for apparel exports in the 2021 calendar year.
UN-WTO report does Bangladesh RMG a disservice
In Bangladesh’s RMG industry, we view ourselves as fighting for a position as the world’s second-most important garment sourcing hub.
Let’s show zero tolerance for pollution
Environmental issues related to the ready-made garment (RMG) sector of Bangladesh appear to have taken a back seat in recent years.
Time for RMG makers to think globally
When it comes to the geography of apparel production, the rules are changing, and this is something all Bangladeshi RMG manufacturers need to be aware of.
Clouds lift as RMG makers bounce back
In the spring of 2020, when the whole planet appeared to be going into lockdown and major fashion retailers were collectively cancelling billions of dollars’ worth of garment orders, it was difficult to see light at the end of the tunnel.
Time for unity between RMG buyers and suppliers
One of the lessons that we learnt during Covid-19 is that suppliers and buyers need to collaborate more, moving away from adversarial relations. But how can we make the shift towards collaboration? And what are the barriers to such an approach to business?
End of 2021 brings déjà vu to apparel makers
There is a profound sense of déjà vu as we approach the end of 2021 and look forward to what the new year will bring.
Lessons to be learnt from 2021
The year 2020 was the toughest that I can remember as a business owner. Like many RMG manufacturers in Bangladesh, there were periods where I did not know how I was going to survive.
May 28, 2023
Bangladesh must prepare for shorter production runs
We are not geared for such runs in the same way that some manufacturers in Europe are.
May 21, 2023
Environmental compliance may weed out smaller garment factories
Will we see an industry which has fewer and larger players?
May 8, 2023
The complicated issue of paying 'living wages'
Better wages cannot be introduced by any one actor alone.
April 9, 2023
For the RMG industry, being sustainable is easier said than done
What happens when you have done all that you can, but your emissions continue to go in the wrong direction?
March 26, 2023
Collaboration is in our collective interest
Without fashion retailers and their suppliers working together, our industry as a whole will continue to see emissions rising.
March 6, 2023
The economic case for renewable energy
It is time to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels altogether.
February 20, 2023
There is a way to decarbonise RMG manufacture
How can we reduce CO2 emissions associated with our industry?
February 11, 2023
Innovation key for Bangladesh to remain a global RMG leader
As we head into 2023, there is a sense of trepidation in the business landscape. As 2022 drew to a close, it felt at times like many companies were limping towards the end of the year.
February 7, 2023
Why carbon emissions could cost Bangladeshi RMG makers
Targets for carbon emissions are closing in fast on some of Bangladesh's largest trading partners. Some have set targets for 2030. Things are moving more quickly than anybody could have imagined on this issue.
January 22, 2023
Isn't it time we stopped running after the GSP?
I am not ruling out the possibility of Bangladesh being granted a place in the GSP+. I would rather argue that we need to also prepare for a time when we can stand on our own two feet as far as international trade is concerned. To do this, I believe we now need to make faster moves on bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and also preferential trading agreements (PTAs) with some of our existing trading partners, where we can negotiate mutually gainful benefits and opportunities. It is a new game that our government and businesses must start preparing for.
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