Mostafiz Uddin

Without fashion retailers and their suppliers working together, our industry as a whole will continue to see emissions rising.

It is time to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels altogether.

How can we reduce CO2 emissions associated with our industry?

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.

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.

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.

In theory, this sounds like a good idea, but it is not so straightforward.

There is anecdotal evidence that investment is taking place to upgrade operations to meet the demands of international customers.

The discussion on holding the largest emitter to account was notably lacking at the conference.

As garment makers, we cannot afford to absorb all cost increases along the supply chain.

My biggest worry in this situation is for our RMG workers, who are among the most vulnerable parts in the global fashion supply chain.

Global energy challenges are continuing to impact Bangladesh's garment industry.

By limiting ourselves to these two markets, we are missing out on a whole world of opportunities.

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.

In recent months, the Bangladeshi taka has plummeted to new depths against the US dollar amid a worsening foreign exchange reserve crisis.

Recessions don’t happen overnight, and people don’t stop spending from one day to the next.

As the global economy is threatened by recession, RMG makers will have to come up with strategies to deal.

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.

It seems that just as we recover from one crisis – the global pandemic – another one begins.

RMG makers in Bangladesh have a compelling story to tell. And there is no better time to start doing it than now.