01/07/2026
On 30 June 2026, EuroCham Bangladesh, in collaboration with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), successfully organised a working seminar titled "The Competitive Edge: Decarbonising Bangladesh's SME Garment Factories." Supported by BRAC Business School and Oxfam, with SOLshare and the Greener Garments Initiative (GGI) as Technical Partners, the event brought together policymakers, industry leaders, financial institutions, development partners, technical experts, academia and SME garment manufacturers to explore practical pathways towards a greener and more competitive RMG sector.
Opening the seminar, Ms. Nuria Lopez, Chairperson of EuroCham Bangladesh, emphasised that sustainability is no longer merely a compliance requirement but a business opportunity. Mr. Edwin Koekkoek of the Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh highlighted the growing importance of renewable energy in maintaining Bangladesh's global competitiveness, while Mr. Faisal Samad, Director of BGMEA, called for stronger collaboration to translate sustainability ambitions into market opportunities for SMEs.
A key highlight was the expert presentation by Mr. ABM Faqrul Alam, Head of Sustainability at Urmi Group, who examined how the EU's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), Bangladesh's LDC graduation and evolving buyer expectations are reshaping the future of global sourcing. The programme also featured a keynote by Dr. Sebastian Groh on innovative rooftop solar business models, including the potential of cluster-based approaches to enable shared renewable energy solutions for SME factories, and a data-driven presentation by Mr. A.N.M. Ata Ullah on the untapped solar potential within Bangladesh's RMG sector. The seminar included a live rooftop solar feasibility demonstration, interactive audience discussions and an invitation for participating factories to register for complimentary rooftop solar feasibility assessments, ensuring that conversations lead to practical implementation.
The seminar concluded with two insightful panel discussions, bringing together representatives from SREDA, GIZ, Oxfam, the EU Delegation, BRAC University, IDCOL, BESTSELLER, Bangladesh Bank and SME representative, to explore the technical and financial pathways for accelerating SME decarbonisation.
As the first event in this seminar series, the initiative marks the beginning of EuroCham Bangladesh's continued commitment to supporting SMEs through knowledge sharing, technical guidance and strategic partnerships for a more sustainable and competitive future.
