A meeting was held on September 17, 2025, between the President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Sustainability Director of Stanley Stella to discuss collaboration on sustainability and social compliance. The meeting was presided over by Mahmud Hasan Khan, President BGMEA and Nafis-Ud-Doula, Director BGMEA.
Discussions focused on the growing pressure from consumers and governments, particularly with upcoming EU directives, for greater social and environmental responsibility in the apparel sector. Both parties acknowledged that Bangladesh, currently in a period of transition, is well-positioned to strengthen its commitment to these areas.
Key topics of discussion included:
Renewable Energy (RE): Despite challenges such as limited space, Bangladesh is steadily increasing its capacity for renewable energy and water reuse. The recent Merchant Power Purchase Agreement was highlighted as a positive new policy to promote the use of renewable energy.
Scope 3 Emissions: Stanley Stella outlined its goal to reduce its scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030, a target that necessitates collaboration with its supply chain partners.
Green Transition: The parties explored opportunities for a “green transition” in the industry, including identifying low-cost funding for factories, with a special focus on supporting Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs).
Unified Code of Conduct: The discussion also touched upon the development of a unified code of conduct to streamline and standardize industry practices.
Both BGMEA and Stanley Stella expressed their commitment to exploring these areas of collaboration to ensure a more sustainable and responsible future for the garment industry in Bangladesh.
