Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD) had a meeting with BGMEA to discuss on a study conducted by BUILD in collaboration with UNDP titled ‘How to do Business Without Polluting Water: A Case of RMG’. BUILD CEO Ferdaus Ara Begum disclosed this referring to several primary sources of information while conducting the study, in the meeting that the per liter use of water in Bangladesh is much higher than the international benchmark. In order to be efficient, the water use should be reduced increasing space for others to use the essential item. It is shown in statistics that RMG and textile are about 80 per cent users of the total use of water by the industries. The Washing Dyeing and Finishing (WDF) is the most significant agent using maximum water. BGMEA president Siddiqur Rahman informed that about 100 per cent of the RMG exporting units are using ETPs now because of pressure of the buyers and keep the RMG business compliant. He also added that a significant number of industries have already gone for water efficiency. Mr Sudip Mukherjee, UNDP Country Director and Mr Nick Beresford, Deputy Country Director, UNDP Bangladesh were present in the meeting. UNDP Assistant Country Director, Mr Khurshid Alam referred to the need for establishing a Business Continuity Centre in BGMEA to make the members of BGMEA aware about the need for a business continuity plan while devising a project proposal which will help them address future unexpected disaster and minimise the loss. He referred to the Philippine Federation of Chambers of Commerce who have established such a centre at their own initiative. Mr Asif Ibrahim, Advisor to BUILD earlier introduced the meeting about BUILD and how the 5th Working Committee of BUILD on Sustainability and Green Growth is working in collaboration with Ministry of Environment and Forests and BGMEA. Some other BGMEA Directors and Mr Mohiuddin, Vice President FBCCI and Director of BGMEA were present, said a statement.
