Over 30 factories in the RMG sector received Leed Certifications last year. This is particularly impressive when you consider that just a decade ago, our industry made international headlines for all of the wrong reasons. It is a wonder that, after tragedies like the Rana Plaza collapse and poor working conditions in many factories (often hazardous), we have 500 factories in line for Leed certification.
The importance of this is doubled when you consider our goals in terms of economics and that we, as a country, are on the forefront for climate change. The adoption by industry of practices that focus on energy efficiency and the mitigation of environmental damage, which is the largest sector in the country, shows how economic progress doesn’t have to be at the expense of environmental integrity.
The RMG industry has become a standard for the entire national economy. RMG will be a shining beacon as Bangladesh intensifies its industrialization in order to reach economic objectives.
This is an area where there’s still work to do. It is important that the sector holds foreign buyers responsible for their lack of cooperation in regards to payment. The sector will become the benchmark that other industries can aspire towards if it continues on its current path.