The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), in collaboration with EuroCham Bangladesh, organized the seminar titled “The Competitive Edge: Decarbonizing Bangladesh’s SME Garment Factories” at the Noorul Quader Auditorium, BGMEA Complex. Supported by BRAC Business School and Oxfam, with SOLshare and the Greener Garments Initiative (GGI) serving as Technical Partners, the seminar brought together policymakers, industry leaders, development partners, financial institutions, and renewable energy experts to discuss practical strategies to accelerate the decarbonization of Bangladesh’s small- and medium-sized garment factories.
The event focused on helping the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry respond to increasing global sustainability requirements, rising energy costs, energy security concerns, and the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD). Experts highlighted how rooftop solar energy, supportive policies, and innovative financing can strengthen the competitiveness of SME manufacturers while reducing carbon emissions.
Opening Remarks
In the opening session, Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh, emphasized that sustainability has become a business necessity rather than an option. She said Bangladesh’s apparel industry has significant opportunities to strengthen its global market position by investing in clean energy and responsible production practices.
Faisal Samad, Director of BGMEA, highlighted the association’s commitment to supporting member factories in adopting sustainable manufacturing practices. He stressed that improving energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption will help maintain Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international markets.
Representing the European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, Edwin Keekokek, Team Leader for Green Inclusive Development and Social Protection, explained the EU’s growing emphasis on sustainable supply chains and encouraged manufacturers to prepare for evolving regulatory frameworks by integrating environmental due diligence into their business operations.
Understanding the EU’s Sustainability Requirements
Speaking on “The EU’s CSDDD After the Omnibus: What It Means for Bangladeshi Suppliers,” A B M Faqrul Alam, Sustainability Lead at Urmi Group, explained the implications of the updated European sustainability regulations for Bangladeshi exporters. He discussed how compliance with environmental and human rights due diligence requirements can become a competitive advantage rather than merely a regulatory obligation.
Decarbonization as a Business Opportunity
Delivering the keynote on “Decarbonization as Competitiveness – Policy Landscape & the Case for Bundling SME Rooftops,” Dr. Sebastian Groh, CEO and Co-founder of SOLshare and a Professor at BRAC Business School, emphasized that decarbonization should be viewed as a strategic investment that reduces operational costs and improves long-term business resilience. He also presented the concept of bundling rooftop solar projects across multiple SME factories to make renewable energy investments more financially viable.
Rooftop Solar Implementation
A N M Ata Ullah, Lead – Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration at the Center for Entrepreneurship Development (CED), BRAC University, explained how a clustered SME approach can accelerate rooftop solar deployment. He discussed collaborative implementation models that allow smaller factories to overcome technical and financial barriers.
Live Feasibility Demonstration
During the live feasibility assessment session, Syed Ishtiaque Ahmed, Director of Innovation and Engineering at ME SOLshare Ltd., demonstrated how garment factories can evaluate rooftop solar potential through technical and financial feasibility analysis. The session provided practical guidance on energy savings, return on investment, and implementation planning.
Panel Discussion I: From Rooftop to Reality – The Technical Path to SME Solar
The first panel discussion explored the technical, policy, and implementation challenges involved in scaling rooftop solar adoption among SME garment factories. Panelists agreed that while rooftop solar technology has become increasingly accessible, wider adoption requires stronger institutional collaboration, supportive government policies, technical capacity building, and greater awareness among factory owners.
The discussion featured Dr. Ashraful Alam, Joint Secretary and Member (Renewable Energy), SREDA; Kazi Ahsan Uddin, Energy Policy & Program Advisor, GIZ; Omar Chowdhury, Managing Director, Hydroxide Knitwear Ltd.; Tanzina Dilshad, Program Manager – Energy and Environment, European Union Delegation to Bangladesh; and Fatema Tuz Joohora, Head of Economic Inclusion and Justice, Oxfam. Moderated by Aziza Sultana Mukti, Deputy CEO of ME SOLshare Ltd., the panel emphasized the importance of coordinated public-private partnerships, enabling policies, and technical support to accelerate the adoption of renewable energy across the garment sector.
Panel Discussion II: Who Pays? Making SME Solar Bankable
The second panel discussion focused on financing solutions required to make rooftop solar investments accessible for SME manufacturers. Panelists discussed the importance of affordable green financing, risk-sharing mechanisms, concessional loans, blended finance models, and stronger engagement between banks, financial institutions, and development partners to support clean energy investments.
The panel included Dr. Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Professor and Director, Center for Energy and Logistics (CEL), BRAC University; Tanvir Bashar, Vice President & Unit Head, Industrial Energy Efficiency Finance, IDCOL; Dewan Muhammad Nurul Islam, Chemical & Environment Manager, BESTSELLER; and Sharmin Prodhan, Joint Director, Sustainable Finance Department, Head Office, Bangladesh Bank. Moderated by Arick Shama Proma, Executive Director of EuroCham Bangladesh, the discussion concluded that expanding access to sustainable finance and creating bankable renewable energy projects will be essential for accelerating the decarbonization of Bangladesh’s SME garment industry.
Closing
The seminar concluded with a renewed commitment from industry leaders, policymakers, development partners, and financial institutions to work together in advancing renewable energy adoption and sustainable manufacturing. Participants agreed that decarbonization is no longer solely an environmental objective but a strategic business imperative that will strengthen Bangladesh’s competitiveness, ensure compliance with emerging global regulations, and secure the long-term growth of the country’s Ready-Made Garment industry.
