DHAKA, July 7, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP) have discussed ways to further strengthen their long-standing partnership to promote ethical and sustainable production in the country’s apparel sector.

The discussion took place when WRAP’s Head of Operations for Bangladesh and Pakistan, Kamrun Nahar, paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan at the BGMEA office in city’s Uttara, said a BGMEA press release.

BGMEA Director Nafis-ud-Doula and WRAP Manager of Administrative Operations Tanjina Afrin were also present at the meeting.

During the discussion, various aspects of WRAP audits were highlighted. Both the sides also explored potential areas of cooperation, including full implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between BGMEA and WRAP in 2022 and updating audit standards to make them more relevant and practical, the release said.
 
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan noted that BGMEA and WRAP have long been working together to advance ethical and sustainable production in the garment sector. He expressed the hope that a stronger partnership would further support the industry’s progress.

Mahmud also requested WRAP to take initiatives to develop a Unified Code of Conduct for the apparel industry in Bangladesh in consultation with global brands, which could serve as a comprehensive set of standards for the sector.

Referring to some challenges in the current audit practices, the BGMEA President emphasized the need to revise certain requirements and thus making those time befitting.

The condition for keeping 30% of factory rooftops open is limiting the installation of solar power systems and restrictions on shared factory buildings should go for better suit to the realities of the industry, he said.

The BGMEA President also urged WRAP to share with BGMEA the overall insights from WRAP’s audits of Bangladeshi garment factories. 

“Such insights would help formulate better policies and further strengthen Bangladesh’s position as a preferred hub for ethical production globally,” he said.

In response, WRAP’s Kamrun Nahar assured that efforts are going on in this regard and requested BGMEA’s more active participation in WRAP training programs for the BGMEA members.

The meeting underscored the need for shared commitment of both organizations to support the development of Bangladesh’s apparel industry through responsible and sustainable practices.