Leading European and American apparel brands that buy their merchandise from Bangladesh are optimistic about rolling out cleaner-production initiatives across the country’s garment industry.
International Finance Corporation and its partners have helped textile factories in Bangladesh save millions of dollars and reduce water consumption under the cleaner initiative that is designed to make the country’s garment industry more sustainable and globally competitive, the IFC said in a media statement.
“Estimates show that if the industry’s 1,700 textile wet-processing units adopt cleaner production measures, they can save up to $70 million and 10.5 billion liters of water per year,” it added.
Working with the Dutch organisation Solidaridad and six leading garment-industry buyers, IFC brought in global and regional experts to deliver hands-on knowledge and experience to local consultants.
The initiative has been introduced by SouthAsia Enterprise Development Facility, which is managed by IFC, in partnership with the UK Department for International Development and the Norwegian Agency for Development Co-operation.
Key international buyers participating in the program included H&M, KappAhl, Lindex, Mothercare, Levi’s, and WE Fashions.
“The success of this project will allow the Bangladesh textile sector to gain a competitive edge in the world market by showcasing its efforts towards a greener supply chain,” said Monika M Weber-Fahr, who leads IFC’s Sustainable Business Advisory business line.
