SHIFT Nexus organized an online webinar titled “Advancing Responsible Business Conduct in Bangladesh’s RMG Sector: Challenges and Way Forward” on 25 September 2026, bringing together experts from academia, industry, sustainability, business, and fashion media.
The webinar was organized by SHIFT Nexus with the support of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), SBC Bangladesh, WANT NEXT-GEN, and Fashion Business Journal.
The webinar explored how Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) can move beyond compliance and become embedded in the day-to-day operations and long-term competitiveness of Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments (RMG) sector. A central theme of the discussion was the need for stronger, more balanced and collaborative relationships between manufacturers and buyers, with both sides sharing responsibility for advancing RBC throughout the value chain.
The discussion addressed labour and human rights, occupational safety, environmental sustainability, ethical business practices, responsible purchasing, responsible supply chains, and resilience.
Panel of Experts
The webinar was moderated by Kh. Tahsin Ashrafi, Founder Member, SHIFT Nexus. The distinguished panel featured Prof. Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Dean, Faculty of Science, Stamford University Bangladesh and Director, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS); Mashook Chowdhury, Senior Manager, Sustainability, DBL Group; Md. Omar Faruq, Industry Relation Expert; Md. Rabiul Kabir, Associate Professor, Stamford University Bangladesh and Sustainability & ESG Expert; and Akhi Akter, Founder & Editor, Fashion Business Journal.
The diverse panel brought together perspectives from academia, industry, sustainability, industry relations, ESG, and fashion media, contributing to a comprehensive discussion on the future of responsible business in Bangladesh’s RMG sector.
Also Read: Urmi Group Represents National RMG Sector at UN Responsible Business and Human Rights Forum 2026
From Compliance to Responsible Business
The panel examined what responsible business means in practice and how factories can demonstrate that sustainability and responsible practices are genuinely embedded in their operations rather than being limited to audits or certifications.
Key discussions included the importance of credible data, ESG indicators, environmental and social performance, worker voice, grievance and remedy systems, traceability, risk management, and management accountability.
The panel also discussed the growing integration of human-rights and environmental risks, including climate resilience, pollution prevention, occupational health, resource management, and worker wellbeing. Participants highlighted the need for measurable outcomes and continuous improvement rather than relying solely on policies or documentation.
Responsible Buyer–Manufacturer Relationships at the Heart of RBC
A major focus of the webinar was the relationship between buyers and manufacturers and the shared responsibility required to make Responsible Business Conduct effective throughout the apparel value chain.
Panelists highlighted that RBC cannot be achieved by manufacturers alone. Buyers and suppliers need to work together through more transparent, responsible and constructive business relationships, with both sides contributing to better social, environmental and economic outcomes.
The discussion addressed responsible purchasing practices, pricing pressures, lead times, production planning, traceability, supplier data, due diligence, and shared accountability. Participants emphasized that unrealistic commercial expectations can create additional pressures within supply chains, while fairer purchasing practices, realistic timelines, transparency, open communication and long-term engagement can create stronger conditions for responsible business practices.
The discussion therefore emphasized a shift from a relationship based primarily on compliance monitoring toward partnership, dialogue and shared problem-solving between buyers and manufacturers. Stronger buyer–manufacturer relationships were identified as an important foundation for improving working conditions, environmental performance, resilience and long-term sustainability across the value chain.
The webinar further explored how reliable ESG data, digitalisation, traceability, due diligence, and risk management can become strategic capabilities for Bangladeshi factories rather than being treated only as additional compliance requirements.
The concluding discussion looked toward the future of Bangladesh’s RMG sector and what meaningful transformation could look like by 2030. The panel emphasized measurable environmental improvement, climate resilience, resource efficiency, stronger integration of RBC into business decisions, responsible purchasing, transparency, long-term and mutually responsible buyer–manufacturer relationships, and credible ESG information.
The webinar provided a platform for knowledge sharing, practical experience, collaboration, and dialogue among industry, academia, researchers, experts, and practitioners. These objectives align with SHIFT Nexus’s role as a multidisciplinary platform connecting different stakeholders to address emerging sustainability and responsible business challenges.