Bunon 2030 Dissemination Event Explores RMG Solutions

LightCastle Partners Organizes National Dissemination Event Summarizing the Interventions of BUNON 2030

In a concerted effort to align the perspectives of the policymakers, government stakeholders, and industry leaders, LightCastle Partners, in collaboration with Policy Exchange, organized the national dissemination session, summarizing the key findings from the policy dialogues of Bunon 2030 program on November 23rd, 2024.

This event provided a platform for apparel ecosystem leaders to discuss the key findings from the two-year journey of Bunon 2030 and explore actionable solutions to address the evolving challenges in the RMG sector. Such initiatives underscore LightCastle’s commitment to fostering collaboration within the apparel industry, leveraging research, engaging with the private sector, and advocating for meaningful policy reforms.

The final event convened an esteemed gathering of government stakeholders, policymakers, industry leaders, and development partners to delve into the multifaceted challenges looming over the impending transformations in the apparel sector. At the core of the dissemination session were strategic discussions centered on the interventions identified across the four thematic dialogues: circularity and decarbonization, worker wellbeing, policy imperatives, and the transformative impacts of the 4th Industrial Revolution on the RMG sector.

These dialogues provided insights into the evolving policy landscape essential for sustaining the RMG industry’s growth and resilience in an increasingly competitive global market. The event titled ‘National Dissemination Session: Future Proofing RMG for 2030 and Beyond’ marked the concluding event of the four dialogue series under Bunon 2030.

The event was held under the ‘Oporajita: Collective Impact on the Future of Work in Bangladesh’ project, supported by The Asia Foundation and funded by the H&M Foundation. It shares a common goal of protecting the future livelihoods of women garment workers in Bangladesh.

The session commenced with an opening remark from Ainee Islam, the Director of The Asia Foundation. She emphasized the importance of the ‘Oporajita’ and the pivotal role played by all implementing partners. She underscored collaboration as the main focus of the program, stating,

“Creating an enabling environment for RMG women workers begins with ensuring their safety through policy-level changes within factory management systems. LightCastle Partners and Policy Exchange Bangladesh have been able to bring all the key relevant stakeholders in a common platform to drive systemic change, focusing on four thematic areas of the RMG sector, with worker wellbeing at the core of the industry’s sustainable future.”

Ainee Islam, the Director of The Asia Foundation emphasizing the importance of the 'Oporajita' and the pivotal role played by all implementing partners.

Following that, a presentation summarizing the key findings of Bunon 2030 phase one, was delivered by Zahedul Amin, Co-founder & Director at LightCastle Partners. The presentation shed light on the August political turmoil and its repercussions on the RMG sector, including the impending crisis expected beyond 2026 as LDCs, and the impact factors if there is a delay in Bangladesh’s LDC graduation.

Zahedul Amin, Co-founder & Director at LightCastle Partners presenting the key findings of Bunon 2030 phase one

Subsequently, the event marked a significant milestone with the handover of a guiding document summarizing year-long findings and recommendations to government stakeholders and trade associations. This comprehensive resource, rooted in data-driven insights, aims to support informed decision-making and policy reforms, ensuring preparedness for future challenges while fostering sustainable growth and resilience across the sector.

The handover of a guiding document summarizing year-long findings and recommendations to government stakeholders and trade associations.

With the publication being unveiled, a panel was moderated by Dr. M Masrur Reaz the Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh. As a guest of honor, Anwar Hossain, Administrator of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Vice Chairman of Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), and as special guests, Mohammad Hatem, President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), M. A. Jabbar, Managing Director of DBL Group, Professor Mohammad A. Momen, Co-Founder of Pride Group & Former Director of IBA, and Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of BUILD, graced the event.

During the event, Anwar Hossain, Administrator of BGMEA and Vice Chairman of EPB highlighted the urgent need to develop a resilient energy infrastructure to mitigate the ongoing power supply challenges faced by the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector. He further stressed the importance of fostering strong linkages with financial institutions to facilitate the RMG industry’s access to energy-efficient resources.

Anwar Hossain, Administrator of BGMEA and Vice Chairman of EPB highlighted the urgent need to develop a resilient energy infrastructure to mitigate the ongoing power supply challenges faced by the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector.

While Ferdaus Ara Begum, CEO of Build stressed the importance of diversification, both in terms of market and product line diversification. She stated:

“Bangladesh has become increasingly saturated with cotton-based apparel production, with 67% of our garments relying on cotton. To meet evolving global demand, it is imperative to diversify into man-made fiber (MMF) production. Simultaneously, expanding our market reach beyond traditional destinations to non-traditional markets is crucial for strengthening our price negotiation power in the global apparel industry”

Side by side, Mohammad Hatem, President of BKMEA underscored the challenge of the liquidity crisis in the financial sector, which hinders the access to adequate financing for energy-efficient machinery and technologies. These investments are critical for enhancing competitiveness and ensuring sustainability in the post-LDC landscape. To address these financial and operational gaps effectively, Bangladesh requires additional time to prepare adequately for the impending LDC graduation, ensuring a smooth transition that safeguards the resilience of its key industries.

Mohammad Hatem, President of BKMEA underscored the challenge of the liquidity crisis in the financial sector, which hinders the access to adequate financing for energy-efficient machinery and technologies.

The discussion further highlighted the importance of investing in robust backward linkages within the RMG sector. In response to the discussions, Professor Mohammad A. Momen, Co-Founder of Pride Group & Former Director of IBA, underscored enhancing bilateral trade relationships with international buyers, drawing lessons from peer nations such as Vietnam.

, Professor Mohammad A. Momen, Co-Founder of Pride Group & Former Director of IBA, underscored enhancing bilateral trade relationships with international buyers, drawing lessons from peer nations such as Vietnam.

Such agreements would enable the RMG industry to invest in the production of domestic raw materials, thereby strengthening its capacity to produce a diverse export basket. This approach would position Bangladesh to offer its goods at competitive prices in the global apparel market, ensuring resilience and sustainable growth.

M. A. Jabbar, Managing Director of DBL Group emphasizing the need to invest in research and development.

Additionally, representing the industry M. A. Jabbar, Managing Director of DBL Group emphasized the need to invest in research and development. He stated,

“Investment in research and development is crucial to identify sustainable raw materials for producing high-value-added RMG products, ensuring both competitiveness and environmental responsibility in the global market”

The event concluded with closing remarks from Faisal Bin Seraj, Country Representative of The Asia Foundation. He emphasized the importance of such dialogues as a platform for highlighting the pivotal role of these discussions in creating an enabling environment for women apparel workers, thereby contributing to their empowerment and advancement within the industry.

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