RMG Setting the Benchmark in Bangladesh
Thriving Sustainability
Bangladesh’s ready-made garments (RMG) sector holds a pivotal position in its economy, manufacturing for globally acclaimed brands such as G-Star RAW, Levi’s, Hugo Boss, Diesel, and Armani. The factories in Bangladesh have made noteworthy advancements in enhancing their quality and sustainability to meet the stringent standards set by the global apparel market.
In the face of daunting odds, the private sector-led factories have modernised their infrastructure and implemented robust quality control measures, with a strong emphasis on sustainability. The country now boasts of having established green factories that prioritise eco-friendly practices, encompassing measures to reduce water and energy consumption, minimise waste generation, and utilise sustainable materials and dyes.
Moreover, these factories prioritise responsible chemical usage and proactively strive to minimise greenhouse gas emissions, making substantial contributions towards a greener and more sustainable industry, while diligently working towards reducing their carbon footprint.
Substantial support from the government and industry stakeholders and development partners helped these green factory initiatives through incentives and capacity-building programs.
The capability of Bangladesh’s factories to meet rigorous standards has enticed international brands to choose Bangladesh as their preferred manufacturing destination. The RMG industry in Bangladesh employs around 4 million people, surpassing the employment in the public sector, and contributes 9.23% of GDP as per Bangladesh Bank data. The sector hit a record USD 4.38 billion in November 2022.
The G-Star Milestone
Recently, Bangladesh’s achievements in the garment industry were further acknowledged as G-Star RAW, the world-famous Dutch brand, presented awards at its annual Global Summit held in Amsterdam on 18 and 19 April 2023. The summit recognised various garment industries worldwide for their excellence in quality, corporate social responsibility (CSR), sustainability and other categories.
Out of the ten awards presented at the summit, five were bestowed upon garment factories in Bangladesh, which represents more than half of the total awards. The recipients of these prestigious accolades were MBM Group’s unit, Cutting Edge Industries, for the Best Quality, Square Fashions as Social Champion, Epyllion Style for Lowest AQL failure, DBL for On Time In Full (OTIF), and Genesis as Environmental Champion.
Commitment to Excellence
Bangladesh’s renowned garment factories have solidified their position as leaders in producing exquisite, high-quality garments, garnering widespread acclaim in the global market. By investing in innovation and cutting-edge technologies, and implementing thorough quality control measures, these factories uphold an unwavering commitment to excellence, setting an exemplary standard for the industry.
Within the scope of corporate social responsibility (CSR), garment manufacturers in Bangladesh also place a strong emphasis on the well-being and safety of their workers by offering competitive wages, ensuring favourable working conditions, and adhering to health and safety regulations. They actively invest in employee training and development programs to empower their workforce and promote skill enhancement. Moreover, these factories actively engage in philanthropic activities, supporting local communities through initiatives focused on education, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
The Winners’ Words
Square Group was awarded the Global Social Champion award by G-Star. Bangladesh factories are also recognised for their corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices which is a testament to their ethical operations.
Among the winners of the recent G-Star RAW Awards, Cutting Edge Industries of MBM Group stands as a trailblazer in Bangladesh’s garment industry renowned for its innovation, sustainability and commitment towards people and community, and has earned prestigious international recognition for its unwavering commitment to excellence.
The words of Mehroz Jalil, the DMD of MBM Group, resonate with pride as he expresses, “To be recognised by G-star in Best Global Quality award is a huge pride not just for us, but also for the country. We entered our journey with this high-end G-Star brand only 6 years back, despite the challenge of executing their low MOQ orders along with premium quality requirements. We have been very focused from the onset to make an impression with our performance with a key focus on their quality requirements, fit and finish. And touch wood, we feel the results have paid off.”
Mr. Shafiur Rahman Country Manager of G-Star in Bangladesh says, “Today, Bangladesh stands proudly, shoulder to shoulder, with established players in the international arena. Its RMG sector has proven its mettle, delivering products that meet global standards and leaving an indelible mark on the fashion industry. The sector’s ability to adapt, innovate, and consistently deliver high-quality garments has earned it the respect and admiration of global buyers.
Photographs courtesy of MBM Group
