A delegation from Associated British Foods (ABF) and Primark met with Faruque Hassan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on March 12.

The delegation included Steve Lawton, Trading Director, Primark; Matthew Rhodes, Head of Sourcing and Supplier Management, Primark; Eoin Tonge, CFO, ABF/Primark; Richard Morrison, Director, ABF/Primark; Filippo Poggi, Sourcing Country Controller (Bangladesh-India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka); Mohammad Ismail, Senior Ethical Trade Manager (Bangladesh & Pakistan); and Jalis Khan, Sourcing Manager (Bangladesh-India-Pakistan-Sri Lanka). 

The meeting was also attended by BGMEA Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Vice President Miran Ali, Director Faisal Samad, newly elected Directors of BGMEA for the 2024-2026 term -- Mohammad Sohel Sadat and Mesbah Uddin Khan.

The discussions centered around fostering collaboration to achieve shared sustainability goals, with a particular emphasis on promoting sustainable practices within Primark’s Bangladeshi suppliers.

The meeting focused collaboration in improving sustainable practices, the use of recycled materials, and minimizing environmental footprints throughout the manufacturing process in the Bangladeshi suppliers of Primark. 

This involves providing support, resources, and knowledge to improve manufacturing processes and meet global sustainability standards.

Both sides stressed the importance of working together to build up capacities of the suppliers in meeting Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan briefed the Primark delegation about Bangladesh’s strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and product diversification, especially non-cotton high-end garments.

He also highlighted the growing infrastructure of Bangladesh, including highways, expressways, deep sea port alongside improved logistics that have contributed to reducing lead time for product shipment.

He called upon Primark to increase its garment sourcing from Bangladesh, particularly in the high-end garment sector.

Faruque Hassan extended gratitude to Primark for their support to Bangladeshi suppliers in implementing the recently announced minimum wage by adjusting prices on their orders.

All the members of BGMEA implemented the new wage structure for their workers from December 2023.