Bangladesh, Netherlands sign MoU to advance circular economy in textile sector
Bangladesh and the Netherlands have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote circular economy practices in the country’s textile and readymade garment sectors.
The agreement is expected to expand cooperation between the two countries in areas including resource efficiency across the textile value chain, waste reduction, recycling, sustainable production systems and green industrialisation.
The MoU was signed at a ceremony titled “MoU Signing on Cooperation in the Field of Circular Economy” between Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce and the Netherlands’ Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy on Monday.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir signed the deal at the commerce ministry along with Dutch Minister of Climate and Green Growth Stientje van Veldhoven-van der Meer.
The two ministers joined the ceremony virtually and signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.
Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said adopting sustainable production systems and circular economy practices in the global textile industry had become an urgent necessity, a press release.
“As Bangladesh’s apparel and textile supply chain is deeply integrated with the global market, international cooperation in this sector needs to be further strengthened,” he said.
He said Bangladesh and the Netherlands had long been working as partners based on mutual trust, shared values and strong economic cooperation.
The Netherlands is one of Bangladesh’s important development and trade partners in areas including water management, agriculture, logistics and sustainable industrial development, he said.
“This MoU is an important milestone in taking our partnership towards a greener, more resilient and future-oriented economy,” the commerce minister said.
“Circular economy is not merely about environmental protection. It is directly linked to strengthening the long-term competitiveness of Bangladesh’s export sector, ensuring optimum use of resources, attracting sustainable investment, creating green jobs and responding to emerging demands in international markets,” he said.
The minister said Bangladesh was on the path to graduating from the least developed country (LDC) category.
Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said the transition to a circular economy could not be achieved by any single stakeholder.
“It requires coordinated efforts involving the government, industries, financial institutions, development partners, research institutions and consumers,” he said.
The MoU places emphasis on multi-stakeholder cooperation and knowledge sharing, which would help bring about the structural changes required in the textile sector, he added.
Stientje van Veldhoven said expanding the circular economy is now extremely urgent, but no country can complete the transition alone.
She emphasised international cooperation, commercial partnerships and coordinated initiatives across the entire supply chain.
She said officials from the two countries have already discussed priority areas of cooperation and stressed the need to translate those discussions into concrete actions quickly.
Van Veldhoven also expressed interest in Bangladesh and the Netherlands working together in international forums alongside bilateral cooperation, while expressing hope that the partnership between the two countries would become more effective and result-oriented.
Commerce Ministry Secretary Md Ataur Rahman Khan, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Faiyaz Murshid Kazi and Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Joris van Bommel, among others, attended the programme.
