Empowering the Future: Transforming Business Through Sustainability Reporting
SusNex and Swisscontact jointly hosted a landmark workshop titled "Empowering the Future: Transforming Business Through Sustainability Reporting" at a hotel in Dhaka, bringing together key stakeholders from across Bangladesh's textile and garment ecosystem.
The workshop was organized as part of Swisscontact's PROGRESS project, a multi-year initiative funded by SIDA (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency) through the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh. The program aims to strengthen local capacity for sustainability reporting and responsible business practices in the country's RMG sector.
Diverse Participation Across the Value Chain
The event drew participants from a wide cross-section of the industry, including representatives from consulting firms, RMG factories, the banking sector, buying houses, and global apparel brands. This diversity of attendees underscored the growing recognition that sustainability reporting is a shared responsibility across the entire value chain.
Welcome Remarks
The workshop opened with welcome remarks from representatives of both Swisscontact and SusNex, who highlighted the importance of building local expertise in sustainability reporting and the critical role such capacity plays in maintaining Bangladesh's competitiveness in global markets.
Keynote on Sustainability Reporting
Rahul Singh from the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) delivered a keynote address emphasizing the strategic importance of sustainability reporting. He outlined how GRI Standards provide a universal framework for organizations to communicate their economic, environmental, and social impacts — and why adopting these standards is becoming essential for market access and stakeholder trust.
Panel Discussion
A panel discussion moderated by Towfique Hasan, Director of Business Development at SusNex, explored the practical challenges and opportunities of sustainability reporting in Bangladesh. The distinguished panelists included:
- Dr. Mohammad Nazmi Newaz — Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM)
- Masud Ali Choudhury — UNDP WING
- Aleya Aktar — CHRO, Desh Group
- Shabab Ahmed Mahfuz — SGS Bangladesh
- Basirun Nabi Khan — Centro Tex
- Rajib Ul Haque — GRI-Certified Sustainability Professional
Panelists shared perspectives on the evolving regulatory landscape, the role of financial institutions in driving ESG adoption, and the practical steps factories can take to begin their sustainability reporting journey.
Interactive Q&A
The workshop concluded with an interactive Q&A session led by Montasir Nahid, Director at SusNex. The session sparked a lively discussion centered on a critical question: Who should be responsible for sustainability reporting within an organization? Participants debated the merits of dedicated sustainability teams versus cross-functional responsibility models, with consensus forming around the need for leadership commitment and embedded accountability structures.
The workshop reinforced the growing momentum behind sustainability reporting in Bangladesh and demonstrated the value of collaborative initiatives in building the institutional capacity needed for long-term industry transformation.