Representatives from the Buyers Forum and leaders from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have come together for a joint meeting to discuss a key issue to strengthen sustainable supply chains in the global fashion industry. The main objective of the meeting was to develop a partnership strategy for the future of the garment industry and move forward on the path of sustainable development.
Representatives of more than 40 Buyers participated in the meeting held today, September 3, 2025, at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara.
The meeting exchanged views on areas where apparel Buyers and BGMEA can further strengthen cooperation to ensure a sustainable supply chain.
In the meeting, led by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan, 1st Vice President Selim Rahman, Vice President Md. Rezwan Selim, Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Vice President Vidia Amrit Khan, Vice President Md. Shihab Uddoza Chowdhury, Director Shah Raed Chowdhury, Director Mohammad Abdur Rahim, Director Faisal Samad, Director Md. Hasib Uddin, Director Mohammad Abdus Salam, Director Nafis-ud-Daulah, Director Sumaiya Islam, Director Majumder Arifur Rahman, Director Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz, Director Kazi Mizanur Rahman, Director Dr. participated in the discussion on behalf of BGMEA. Rashid Ahmed Hossaini, Director Rumana Rashid, Director Mohammad Sohel, Director Samiha Azim, BGMEA Standing Committee on BGMEA Branding Chairman Khan Monirul Alam (Shubh), BGMEA Standing Committee on Buyers Forum Chairman Mashed Rahman Abdullah and BGMEA Standing Committee on One Stop Sale Chairman Mozammel Haque Bhuiyan.
The discussion included various relevant issues including the US imposition of 20% tariff on Bangladeshi goods for the garment industry, introduction of Unified Code of Conduct, product diversification, labor reforms, renewable energy, Bangladesh’s preparation for LDC graduation, and the challenges of the GSP Plus threshold.
To ensure a sustainable supply chain, Buyers have placed special emphasis on logistics development, resolving NBR and customs-related complications, creating a sustainable and international standard labor environment, and environmental sustainability.
One of the BGMEA’s agenda items at the meeting was to seek the cooperation and support of apparel Buyers in developing a Unified Code of Conduct for the apparel industry, which would benefit all stakeholders in the supply chain.
BGMEA Director Nafees-ud-Daulah showed through a PowerPoint presentation how a Unified Code of Conduct can simplify the audit process, reduce the pressure on factories and make the industry more ethical, sustainable and responsible.
The issue of labor reforms was of particular importance in the discussion. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted the recent progress in labor reforms in Bangladesh and said that these reforms are being implemented not only to meet international standards, but also to ensure a sustainable and safe industrial environment. He called on Buyers to work as partners in this positive transformation of the garment industry in Bangladesh.
At the meeting, BGMEA leaders called on Buyers to increase garment sourcing from Bangladesh and strengthen partnerships with suppliers in Bangladesh to produce more innovative high-quality products.
Buyer representatives said that there is a huge opportunity for growth in the industry through fashion designing. They suggested opening a technical design section at the BGMEA University of Fashion and Technology (BUFT) and employing young fashion designers at the factory level, saying this is one of the expectations of the bands from Bangladeshi garment exporters.
BGMEA leaders called on garment Buyers to come forward to support entrepreneurs in every aspect of the industry, including developing better pricing models and efficiency models, to make the garment industry more competitive and morally strong.
Representatives of the garment Buyers present at the meeting assured their continued support for the development of the Bangladeshi garment industry.
