Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry emerged as one of the major highlights at the AkijBashir Group Presents SDG Brand Champion Awards 2026, with several leading garment manufacturers receiving national recognition for excellence in sustainable manufacturing, women’s empowerment and responsible business practices. The awards recognized organizations advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through measurable sustainability initiatives.
Among the biggest winners was Urmi Group, which secured two Winner awards. The company received the SDG Brand Champion – Women Empowerment award for its initiative, “Empowered at Work, Stronger at Home: The Urmi Women,” and was also named Most Sustainable RMG/Garment Factory of the Year. The awards recognize Urmi Group’s efforts in promoting women’s leadership, workplace inclusion, responsible manufacturing and long-term sustainability across its apparel operations.
In a statement, Urmi Group said the recognition reflects its commitment to sustainability, responsible business and inclusive growth, while reaffirming its pledge to create long-term value for employees, communities and stakeholders.
Another notable apparel sector winner was Evitex Dress Shirt Limited, a LEED v4.1 Platinum-certified manufacturing facility of Evince Group, which also received the Most Sustainable RMG/Garment Factory of the Year title. The company was recognized for integrating energy-efficient technologies, responsible resource management, workplace safety and employee welfare into its manufacturing operations.
Fakir Fashion Limited also earned national recognition, receiving an Honourable Mention in the Most Sustainable RMG/Garment Factory of the Year category. The company described the award as recognition of its continued commitment to sustainable manufacturing, environmental stewardship and ethical business practices. Fakir Fashion said the achievement would further inspire its journey toward building a greener and more responsible apparel industry.
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Beyond the apparel sector, several major Bangladeshi companies were also honored. PRAN-RFL Group received 11 recognitions across multiple sustainability categories, while Walton, Grameenphone, bKash, and Unilever Bangladesh were among the organizations recognized for their sustainability initiatives.
The fourth edition of the awards, organized by Bangladesh Brand Forum and the Sustainable Brand Initiative under the Bangladesh Innovation Conclave, recognized 59 sustainability initiatives across 19 categories aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s program was presented by AkijBashir Group, powered by SMC Enterprise Limited and American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB), in association with PRAN-RFL Group and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
According to the organizers, 472 nominations were submitted for the 2026 awards, with winners selected through a multi-stage evaluation process conducted by 27 experts serving on seven grand jury panels. The awards aim to encourage businesses to integrate sustainability into their core strategies while recognizing measurable contributions toward environmental protection, social inclusion and responsible governance.
The recognition of Bangladesh’s leading apparel manufacturers comes as global buyers increasingly prioritize ESG performance, decarbonization, traceability and ethical sourcing. With Bangladesh already home to the world’s largest number of LEED-certified green garment factories, industry leaders believe such recognition further strengthens the country’s reputation as a global hub for sustainable apparel manufacturing.
The awards were presented following the Sustainability Summit 2026, where policymakers, business leaders and sustainability experts discussed how responsible business practices are becoming a key driver of competitiveness and long-term growth in Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries.