Kwaghtagher Iwueseter-Natu’s Post

Week in review: Bangladesh's BGMEA must be united on global apparel stage From fashion buyers to end consumers — all eyes are on Bangladesh after history was made last week so it's more important than ever for the BGMEA to remain outward focused and tell the world about the benefits of a 'Made of Bangladesh' label and what we can expect from its apparel manufacturing sector moving forward. Brand BGMEA #BGMEA #apparel #JSDaily

🌐 Sri Lanka's Apparel Industry Takes a Digital Leap for Transparency 🛍️ Sri Lanka's apparel manufacturers, in collaboration with GS1, ADB, and IFRS, are spearheading an industry-wide shift towards transparency and traceability. Every garment produced in Sri Lanka will now feature a QR code tag, offering consumers and stakeholders comprehensive information about the brand, materials used, care instructions, supply chain traceability, and more. This proactive initiative positions Sri Lanka's industry ahead of impending global legislative changes, particularly in the U.S., U.K., and EU, emphasising the country's commitment to supply chain transparency and sustainability. The move aims to boost the industry's global competitiveness and attractiveness to brands prioritising ethical and transparent sourcing. Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) Sri Lanka Apparel Exporters Association Sri Lanka Apparel Sourcing Association (SLASA) National Chamber of Exporters of Sri Lanka #ApparelIndustry #Sustainability #Traceability #GlobalTrade #SriLanka 🌍👕 https://lnkd.in/gWyEjSBV

Textile and apparel manufacturing is a key economic driver in South Asia employing millions of people. A shift to sustainability will help local manufacturers reduce the industry's carbon footprint. Read #IFCinsights to learn how the region is prioritizing its efforts to green the textile sector, which can reduce environmental impacts, optimize economic opportunities, and create new jobs. http://wrld.bg/9EvV50QHB2N IFC Asia Pacific, Himatsingka Group, Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd., DBL Group #ClimateBusinessForum24 #HKGreenWeek

Small changes can make a big impact for sustainability in the fashion industry. 🌱 Discover the benefits of a circular economy and how they apply to the fashion, clothing, and textiles sectors of Aotearoa New Zealand in the new 'Threads of Tomorrow' report by Mindful Fashion New Zealand. 🇳🇿 See how local circular systems and textile waste management can effectively help reduce fashion's impacts on the environment: https://lnkd.in/dzNPh_wZ 🌏 As for sustainability efforts across Asia, take a look at our industry report, supported by The VF Foundation, focused on fashion manufacturing in Asia, which accounts for approximately 60% of global exports of garments, textiles, and footwear*, particularly in China and Southeast Asia. 📖 Download now: https://lnkd.in/gHQCK5N7 #PositivePowerOfFashion *Source: World Trade Organisation, World Trade Statistical Review 2023

A Comparative Study of Textile Policies in Pakistan and Bangladesh At Fashion Soul International, we recognize the importance of understanding regional textile policies to thrive in the global market. Our in-depth analysis compares the textile policies of Pakistan and Bangladesh, highlighting how each country's approach impacts the industry. From regulatory frameworks to sustainability initiatives, our study provides valuable insights for stakeholders looking to navigate these dynamic markets. 🔍 Dive into the details with Fashion Soul International and stay informed on global textile trends. #TextilePolicies #PakistanVsBangladesh #FashionSoulInternational #TextileIndustry #Sustainability #GlobalTextileTrends #IndustryInsights

BANGLADESH MULLS VIRTUAL MARKET TO ALLOW GARMENT MAKERS TO SELL DIRECTLY TO WESTERN CONSUMERS: A major feasibility study looked at options for developing a digital platform to support Bangladesh ready-made garment (RMG) makers. Such a platform would, in theory, enable Bangladesh-based garment manufacturers to sell domestically branded clothing directly to Western consumers. The study – which ought to put #fashion brands on alert – was funded by IFC -International Finance Corporation's Partnership for Cleaner Textile (PaCT II) programme and supported by the government of Denmark via the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). There has long-since been talk in Bangladesh about how the country’s garment industry could improve its marketing and branding. To this end, Brand BGMEA recently launched the findings of a feasibility study which it described as a “precursor to developing a virtual marketplace tailored for Bangladesh’s Textile and Apparel Sector.” It identifies the market potential and sector readiness to digitise the apparel sector of Bangladesh. The objective of such a virtual marketplace would be to integrate the domestic textile industry into global value chains and capitalise on the shift toward online purchasing. The report looks at two strategic options for digitisation. The first is using online channels to expand current Business-to-Business (B2B) activities into emerging markets such as Asia and the Middle East. The second – and this is where things get interesting – is by establishing direct connections between Bangladeshi manufacturers and end customers (B2C), as a means of achieving superior profit margins and increased volumes of business. https://lnkd.in/eN-UQu9R

Much has been made of the apparel sector’s waste-making ways and the impact of disposable fast fashion on developing economies, but new research suggests that the situation is more nuanced than previously thought. The Ghana Used Clothing Dealers Association this week released a report claiming that less than 5 percent of the secondhand clothing imported into the West African nation from offshore locales is actually waste—an assertion that upends the widely held belief that the continent has become a dumping ground for unwanted duds. According to the group, which is comprised of 2.5 million dealers who sell used clothing, footwear and accessories, the secondhand market is part of a sustainable ecosystem that helps propel a global circular economy. #ghana #usedclothing #secondhand #apparel #africa #trade #sustainability #circulareconomy #kenya

The garment and footwear industry is considered one of the most polluting sectors globally, contributing to nearly 4% of global emissions. Along with this environmental toll, the industry is also plagued by human exploitation, low wages, and poor working conditions, with complexities in its global value chains making it difficult to pinpoint the exact origins of products. High, middle, and low-income countries, along with transitioning economies, play a vital role in the global garment and footwear trade, influencing both production and consumption. High-income nations typically engage in downstream activities, while low to middle-income countries focus on labour-intensive upstream manufacturing. Sustainability challenges predominantly emerge in upstream activities. Downstream actors, responsible for material selection and product placement, must enhance traceability and transparency. Transparency is key to ending environmental and human rights violations and ensuring product quality, safety, and compliance with regulations. Traceability within these value chains will empower companies to respond swiftly to disruptions, uphold legal requirements, combat counterfeits, and safeguard cultural and industrial heritage. Traceability and transparency ensure adherence to regulations across the value chain. Beyond production and marketing, they facilitate circularity by transitioning from linear to circular economic models We invite you to foster transparency, enhance traceability, and promote responsible practices across the entire value chain with Eco Edge- Integrating Sustainability in Value Chains of Companies. Visit our website to learn more: https://lnkd.in/dJMavkMb  #GlobalTrade #Sustainability #SupplyChainManagement #SustainableDevelopment #EcoEdge #SustainableValueChains #SupplyChainTransparency Confederation of Indian Industry CII-ITC CESD Seema Arora Shikhar Jain Lakshmi I. Swati Tewari Priyanka Choudhary Sherry Pande

BANGLADESH MULLS VIRTUAL MARKET TO ALLOW GARMENT MAKERS TO SELL DIRECTLY TO WESTERN CONSUMERS: A major feasibility study looked at options for developing a digital platform to support Bangladesh ready-made garment (RMG) makers. Such a platform would, in theory, enable Bangladesh-based garment manufacturers to sell domestically branded clothing directly to Western consumers. The study – which ought to put #fashion brands on alert – was funded by IFC - International Finance Corporation's Partnership for Cleaner Textile (PaCT II) programme and supported by the government of Denmark via the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). There has long-since been talk in Bangladesh about how the country’s garment industry could improve its marketing and branding. To this end, Brand BGME recently launched the findings of a feasibility study which it described as a “precursor to developing a virtual marketplace tailored for Bangladesh’s Textile and Apparel Sector.” It identifies the market potential and sector readiness to digitise the apparel sector of Bangladesh. The objective of such a virtual marketplace would be to integrate the domestic textile industry into global value chains and capitalise on the shift toward online purchasing. The report looks at two strategic options for digitisation. The first is using online channels to expand current Business-to-Business (B2B) activities into emerging markets such as Asia and the Middle East. The second – and this is where things get interesting – is by establishing direct connections between Bangladeshi manufacturers and end customers (B2C), as a means of achieving superior profit margins and increased volumes of business. https://lnkd.in/erdTvCNA

Our 2 past metrics show a 0,87% increase in overall GHGe in the garment and footwear sector. Apparel Impact Institute's “Taking Stock of Progress Against the Roadmap to Net Zero” report tells us this rise can be explained by several factors, one of which is a slight growth in fibres used in the industry. However, there have been improvements in the intensity of electricity and GHG for some processing stages. This underscores the importance of heightened awareness regarding these issues and the role of collaboration, as demonstrated through responsible purchasing practices. In our upcoming side session at the OECD - OCDE Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear sector, we aim to connect real-life experiences and perspectives from diverse industry stakeholders to our new metrics' scores and discuss the interconnectedness of lowering GHGe, responsible purchasing practices and better standards of living. 🗣️🌍🤝💰 Join us on February 20 (1:30-2:45pm CET) and learn more on how by sharing this responsibility, we can drive progress faster. Register now:  https://lnkd.in/evT8XwV9    In the meantime, if you haven’t already, be sure to watch our latest GHGe Deep Dive: https://lnkd.in/dUReX_Rk Fair Wear Foundation Sustainable Apparel Coalition Ethical Trading Initiative Business and Finance at the OECD #TIWW  #IndustryResilience #SustainableSupplyChain #GHGe #FashionIndustry #CollectiveAction #OECDForum #SocialResponsibility #EnvironmentalResponsibility