The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and German International Cooperation Agency (GIZ) have recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen sustainability, energy efficiency and circularity in Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) industry.

The MoU will remain effective from May 2026 to February 2028 and establishes a broad framework for technical cooperation focused on green industrial transformation.

Bangladesh trade body BGMEA and Germany’s GIZ recently signed an MoU to strengthen sustainability, energy efficiency and circularity in Bangladesh’s RMG industry.
The MoU will remain effective from May 2026 to February 2028.
The cooperation is designed to align industrial growth with international sustainability benchmarks and climate commitments.
A major focus is energy transition of the sector.

Both sides will jointly implement a range of technical initiatives in coordination with Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce, the Export Promotion Bureau and the Department of Environment. The cooperation is designed to align industrial growth with international sustainability benchmarks and climate commitments, according to the Bangladesh’s media outlets.

A major focus of the collaboration is energy transition of the apparel sector. Initiatives including energy efficiency for development (EE4DEV), technical and vocational education and training for renewable energy (TVET4RE) and project development programme (PDP) will support renewable energy adoption and energy efficiency improvements in garment factories.

These projects will be complemented by the Skills for Sustainable Employment (SKILLs4SE) programme, aimed at upgrading workforce capabilities to meet emerging industrial demands.

The MoU also prioritises circular economy practices, compliance and worker welfare through projects such as Sustainability in the Textile and Leather Industries (STILE II), Skills for self-Monitoring and Compliance with Clean and Fair Production in the Textile Industry (SCAIP), Social Protection for Workers in the Textile and Leather Sector (SOSI) and the CIRCLE initiative.

These are expected to strengthen environmental accountability, improve social protection mechanisms, and enhance textile waste management systems.

The agreement outlines several strategic areas of cooperation, including preparation for evolving European Union market requirements related to supply chain due diligence, traceability, and decarbonisation.

The Responsible Business Helpdesk (RBH) will also receive institutional support to improve compliance readiness among manufacturers.

Additional areas of collaboration include advanced environmental and chemical management, regular energy audits, technical workforce training, digitalisation of worker protection systems, transparent textile waste marketplaces and greater adoption of international technologies for sustainable manufacturing.

Gender inclusion has also been identified as a key pillar of the partnership.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector is set to adopt blockchain-based transparency and Digital Product Passport (DPP) capabilities after the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Dutch supply chain traceability platform AWARE.

The initiative aims to help Bangladesh’s garment exporters comply with the European Union’s mandatory DPP regulation, which will come into force in 2027. The agreement was signed in Dhaka by BGMEA Vice President Vidiya Amrit Khan and AWARE Founder and Managing Director Feico van der Veen.

Bangladesh’s readymade garment (RMG) sector is set to adopt blockchain-based transparency and Digital Product Passport (DPP) systems ahead of the European Union’s 2027 regulations.
BGMEA and Dutch traceability platform AWARE signed an MoU to enable end-to-end traceability of fibres, yarns, and garments through blockchain-backed digital records, helping exporters strengthen compliance.

Under the partnership, BGMEA member factories will be able to generate blockchain-anchored digital records tracing garments from fibre origin to finished products. The system will provide verified information on raw material sourcing, production processes, and environmental footprint through QR-code-enabled Digital Product Passports.

The move is significant for Bangladesh’s garment industry, which depends heavily on imported fibres and yarns from countries such as China and India. Through blockchain-backed data tokens created at the fibre and yarn production stage, traceable information will move across borders along with physical shipments, enabling end-to-end supply chain visibility.

According to BGMEA, the adoption of blockchain-based traceability will help garment manufacturers improve transparency, strengthen compliance, and position Bangladesh as a reliable sourcing destination for European brands facing stricter sustainability and traceability requirements under the EU’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR).

The agreement also ensures that factories retain ownership and control over all production data generated through the platform. Pilot projects involving selected spinners and garment manufacturers are expected to begin immediately to develop cross-border fibre-to-garment DPP supply chains connecting Bangladesh with European buyers.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)

Australia wool prices eased in Week 46 of May 2026 as weaker demand for fine and medium Merino fleece weighed on the market, while stronger interest in crossbred wool and carding types limited broader declines, according to AWI (Australian Wool Innovation) Commentary for week 46 (May 2026).

The Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) fell by 10 Australian cents to 1,876 ac/kg clean during the week. The US dollar-denominated EMI also declined by 10 US cents to 1,358 USc/kg clean. The Western Market Indicator (WMI) recorded the sharpest regional correction, dropping 22 ac/kg and 19 USc/kg.

Across the offering, Merino fleece wool softened, particularly in the medium Merino segment where buyer resistance became more evident. Fine Merino wool in the 16.5–19.0-micron range generally declined by 15–20 cents, while broader medium Merino categories between 19.5 and 21.0 microns fell by 25–30 cents across most selling centres. Despite the softer tone, trading remained selective rather than broadly weak.

Australia’s wool market eased in Week 46 of May 2026, with the Eastern Market Indicator falling 10 cents to 1,876 ac/kg clean as fine and medium Merino fleece prices weakened.
However, gains in crossbred wool and carding indicators helped limit overall losses.
Buyers remained selective, favouring lower-cost fibre blends amid manufacturing margin pressure and a stronger Australian dollar.

In contrast, crossbred wool ranging from 25–32 microns extended recent gains, rising by 20–25 cents in several categories. Southern 25-micron wool increased by as much as 50 cents during the week. Carding indicators also strengthened between 5 and 18 cents depending on the region, reflecting continued demand for lower-cost processing and blending wool.

Market analysts noted that buyers were not retreating from wool overall but were becoming increasingly selective at current fine wool price levels. Mills were seen shifting towards cheaper fibre blend categories such as crossbreds and cardings while resisting expensive fine Merino purchases, amid ongoing manufacturing margin pressure and efforts to manage input costs.

The stronger Australian dollar also added pressure on exporters and offshore buyers, contributing to cautious purchasing activity during the week.

Next week’s auction roster is expected to offer 31,334 bales, with Fremantle scheduled to sell on Tuesday only, while Sydney and Melbourne will conduct sales across Tuesday and Wednesday.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)