DHAKA, July 28, 2025 (BSS) - Christian Brix Møller, Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, met Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at the BGMEA Complex in the capital today.

They had discussions on key issues of the ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh, including the current situation of the sector, evolving global market dynamics, emerging challenges, and strategic priorities to ensure sustainable growth.

BGMEA Vice President Md. Rezwan Selim and Director Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz were also present at the meeting, said a press release.

Ambassador Møller reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to dedicating 0.7% of its GDP towards the development of less-developed countries, a pledge Denmark has consistently honoured, even amid global and domestic political and economic challenges.

They discussed possible avenues of further collaboration between Denmark and Bangladesh on sustainability and circularity in the RMG sector, as well as improving energy efficiency in the industry.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan highlighted Bangladesh's challenges in accessing the Generalized System of Preferences plus (GSP+) facilities after its graduation from the LDC status. 

He specifically pointed to concerns surrounding the GSP+ threshold criteria and requested Denmark’s support in advocating for Bangladesh's case to EU policymakers.

The BGMEA President also expressed concern over the declining trend in garment exports from Bangladesh to the Danish market since the 2023–2024 fiscal year. He urged the Danish envoy to look into this issue.

He further requested the Danish Ambassador’s support in mobilizing international brands to endorse a Unified Code of Conduct for the apparel sector. He stressed that such a unified code would simplify audit processes, reduce pressure on factories, and help make the industry more ethical, sustainable, and accountable.

The meeting also reviewed the progress of several ongoing development initiatives supported by the Government of Denmark in Bangladesh. These include key projects such as CREATE, PaCT (Partnership for Cleaner Textile), and SWITCH2CE, all aimed at advancing green transformation and a sustainable industrial economy.

There was detailed discussion about the energy audits currently being conducted, with Danish support, in various industrial factories, especially in the garment sector. Emphasis was placed on ensuring the audits provide accurate and reliable data.

Ambassador Møller requested the BGMEA President’s cooperation in this matter, noting that the audits would analyze energy usage in factories and recommend energy-saving measures, including the feasibility of rooftop solar projects. Both BGMEA and BKMEA are expected to benefit significantly from the findings.

Ambassador Christian Brix Møller highlighted Denmark’s partnership with Bangladesh in clean and green technology and expressed Denmark’s interest in deepening this cooperation. 

He emphasized Denmark’s willingness to strengthen collaboration with Bangladesh in areas such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, circular economy, sustainable water management, climate change adaptation, and ICT.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Denmark for its continued support in Bangladesh's development, particularly in the green transition of the garment sector.