Swedish envoy praises Bangladeshi garment factories for going green

Swedish Ambassador Alexandra Berg von Linde today praised Bangladeshi companies for going green and expressed her desire to see Sweden's green companies coming to the south Asian nation.

Currently, Bangladesh is the global champion in green garment factories having 157 units with the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) certification given by the United States Green Building Council.

She also lauded the female participation in the active labour market, particularly in the readymade garment sector and also spoke highly of the visible improvement in women empowerment in Bangladesh.

Sweden saw great potential in Bangladesh's market, and this was reflected in the successful operations of Swedish firms in Bangladesh, including clothing giant H&M.

Linde was speaking at a meeting with Md Saiful Islam, president of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), at the chamber's Gulshan office in Dhaka.

Islam recounted the country's excitement for qualifying to graduate to the developing country club in 2026.

However, he was also worried about the challenges associated with a sustainable graduation.

Despite the ongoing pandemic, Bangladesh has been able to withstand the difficulties boldly due to the prudent fiscal and other policy supports rendered by the government during the last two years.

The MCCI president requested for Sweden's support in Bangladesh's sustainable graduation.

The envoy mentioned that the year 2022 marked the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-Sweden relationship.

Sweden had recognised Bangladesh as a sovereign nation in February 1972.

Linde also shed light on the excellent bilateral relationship between the two countries.