Faruque M. Hassan
In BGMEA’s renewed logo, all the ‘nine-dots’ of the logo connect the values that we cherish toward sustainability. We have followed up actions accordingly after launching that logo. Let us share some of the recent developments in our trade and emerging priorities over sustainability and responsible business.
Our planet ‘earth’ is probably going through the worst time ever. Due to climate change extreme weather events are happening quite frequent now as nature is taking its own course. Extreme rain and heat now appears to be quite regular.
A recent report by Schroders (SDR.L) and Cornell University shows that extreme heat and flooding could erase $65 billion in apparel export earnings from four Asian countries by 2030 while Bangladesh alone may face a US$27 billion worth of export wipeout and 250,000 job losses in its fashion-manufacturing industry. This is quite vulnerable for us being one of the most climate vulnerable countries and we cannot remain indifferent about it.
The importance of sustainability among the stakeholders, particularly the global buyers and consumer, are ever increasing. Buyers are adopting their roadmap to become carbon neutral in committed time frame and focusing on renewable energy and green technologies and processes. Rainwater harvesting, low liquor ratio dyeing machines, water-efficient fixtures, proper management of effluent treatment plants, re-use and recycling of water, etc. Today, the world is focusing more on circular fashion, and the use of sustainable material and non-hazardous chemicals.
Labor and human rights, and social compliance are being equally prioritized. The due diligence protocols adopted by foreign governments particularly, the German Due Diligence Supply Chain Act, the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) by European Union, the Dutch bill on the Responsible and Sustainable International Business Conduct Act etc. are purposed to ensure social and environmental exploitation free supply chains. Even, the post LDC market access would require us to better comply with ESG issues.
Being part of the global supply chain, we need to continuously improvise ourselves especially in the area of responsible manufacturing. In fact, we are among a few countries that made such a distinct progress in the area of sustainability and workplace safety so rigorously and transparently.
Yet, in the ever-expanding horizon of sustainability, we have no scope to be complacent, but we need to enlighten and prepare ourselves on new and emerging issues and adapt to changes.
With that spirit, we reinvigorated the logo of BGMEA that captures our glorious past of resilience and dynamism and connects us to the future and possibilities.
While we unveiled the new logo, we also shared the Sustainability Strategic Vision 2030 of BGMEA which identifies the key ESG priorities of the industry. You might have noticed that all nine dots in the logo are a matrix of our values like – people inclusivity, transparency, infrastructure, innovation, circularity, branding, strengthening our global network, and protecting the environment.
In developing the logo, our priority was to preserve the spirit of our legacy and successive leadership. Therefore in the new one, the fundamental color pallet of the logo has been kept unchanged. The difference is that now we have a story behind the color and symbols of the logo. The color gold is a warm color that is associated with illumination, love, compassion, courage, passion. It also signifies the legacy of BGMEA. The color Blue represents meanings of depth, trust, wisdom, innovation and intelligence, signifying BGMEA’s transformational goals. Indigo symbolizes integrity and intuition. It’s the color of pride, dignity but can also …
