BGMEA President Dr. Rubana Huq on Sunday emphasised on more dialogues among private sector stakeholders for achieving the SDGs.

“Other than just looking into gap finance, we should take small steps to reach the destination,” said the BGMEA chief at a roundtable discussion titled “Capacity Development of Chambers of Commerce and Business on Implementation of SDGs and ILO’s Global Report on Future of Work: Findings in Bangladesh”.

Bangladesh Employers’ Federation (BEF), in association with BGMEA and five other industry associations, organised the discussion at Dhaka’s Agargaon, where Salman F Rahman, prime minister’s advisor for private industry and investment, was present as the chief guest.

The BGMEA chief shed light on her association’s initiatives including engagement with UNDP on SDG evaluation and with Unilever on access to fair price shop.

She also mentioned that her association has already signed “UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action” pursuing SDG 13.

“In order to achieve SDG 12, we are developing projects with GFA and Ellen MacArthur Foundation on Circular Economy. We have done excellent in recruiting people with disabilities in line with SDG 8,” said the BGMEA President.

Dr. Huq also mentioned BGMEA’s alignment with SDG 3 and 6. Unilever and BGEMA have already signed a contract to ensure post-consumer use of HDPE plastic.

Laying emphasis on streamlining private sector effort, BGMEA Director Asif Ibrahim said, "Proper data availability is a key concern."

He said there should have been more incentives for the private sector along with a better investment climate and a more disciplined financial sector.

Chair of BGMEA’s committee for Sustainability and SDG, Wasim Zakariah, BGMEA officials Monower Hossain and Rafiqul Islam, among others, were present at the event.

Organisers also included the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), The Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BKMEA).