Government and BGMEA discussed aligning environmental regulations with industry needs, addressing wastewater treatment challenges and promoting a balanced framework that supports sustainable growth, competitiveness, and environmental protection.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) held a high-level meeting at the Secretariat on Tuesday to discuss ways of aligning environmental compliance requirements with the continued growth and competitiveness of the country’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo acknowledged the sector’s significant contribution to the national economy and said the government is open to reviewing the concerns raised by industry stakeholders.
Officials present at the meeting included Environment Ministry Secretary Md. Raihan Kawsar, Additional Secretary Dr. Md. Saidur Rahman and Additional Director General of the Department of Environment Md. Ziaul Haque.
The BGMEA delegation was led by President Mahmud Hasan Khan, along with former BTMA President A. Matin Chowdhury, BGMEA Director Nafis-ud-Doula and Kingsley CEO Md. Ashiqur Rahman.
The discussions focused on policy alignment, regulatory challenges and ensuring that industrial expansion does not come at the cost of environmental protection, given the RMG sector’s central role in Bangladesh’s export economy.
BGMEA leaders reiterated their commitment to sustainable production practices but raised concerns over several provisions of the Environmental Conservation Rules 2023, particularly technical difficulties in meeting industrial wastewater treatment standards, including Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) colour parameters under existing infrastructure.
They called for more practical and science-based standards that reflect current technological and infrastructural realities while maintaining strong environmental safeguards.
The minister assured participants that the government would carefully consider the concerns raised by the industry.
He noted that a balanced and pragmatic framework would be pursued to ensure both environmental protection and industrial competitiveness, adding that the issues would be addressed in a phased and consultative manner.
