The Bangladesh Garments Accessories & Packaging Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) and Swisscontact, a Swiss development organisation, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at a joint workshop aimed at fostering green growth and resilience within the garments accessories and packaging sector.

The MoU was signed on 09 August, 2025 at the Hotel Sheraton, Dhaka by Bidowra Tahmin Khan, Team Leader of Swisscontact’s Initiative to Stimulate Private Investment for Resource Efficiency (InSPIRE) project, and Md. Shahriar, President of BGAPMEA.

The workshop highlighted two key projects: Promotion of Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector Through Skills (PROGRESS), funded by the Embassies of Sweden and Switzerland, and InSPIRE, funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka.

The event was moderated by Ms. Salma Akhter, Advisor for Advocacy & K&L for PROGRESS and InSPIRE. The welcome address was delivered by Ms. Farzana Amin, Team Leader of the PROGRESS project. Ms. Amin emphasised Swisscontact’s ongoing efforts to expand its support from the RMG sector to include garments accessories and packaging, recognising this sector as a critical backward linkage without which apparel industry growth is not possible. She also underscored key long-term sustainability focus areas, including renewable solar energy, climate action roadmaps, rainwater harvesting, carbon emission reduction, and increased participation of women in factory workforces.

BGAPMEA President Md. Shahriar inaugurated the workshop, noting that the sector’s contributions extend beyond ready-made garments, fulfilling 100% of packaging needs for other export-driven industries such as frozen food, footwear, and pharmaceuticals. He stressed the urgent need for modernisation, compliance with global standards, and capacity building to enhance competitiveness and prepare the sector for future challenges.

Participants engaged in group exercises to identify opportunities, challenges, and strategic pathways across skills development, environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and administrative aspects. The findings from the workshop were then presented, which Swisscontact will consider for future implementation plans.

The workshop drew a wide array of stakeholders, including BGAPMEA’s top leadership, former presidents, directors, representatives from member companies, and development agency officials. It concluded with closing remarks by Mr. Md. Ikramul Sohel, Senior Programme Officer, Market Development Cooperation Section, Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka.