The Netherlands is looking to deepen cooperation with Bangladesh's apparel industry on sustainable manufacturing, clean energy and trade as the country prepares for graduation from least developed country (LDC) status.
Steven Collet, vice-minister for international cooperation of the Netherlands, visited 4A Yarn Dyeing Ltd, an outerwear manufacturing facility of TEAM Group in Dhaka, today (12 October), as part of efforts to explore stronger bilateral ties in sustainable apparel production and trade.
Discussions with TEAM Group's senior management covered Bangladesh's post-LDC transition, the proposed Bangladesh–European Union free trade agreement (FTA), decarbonisation, responsible sourcing, supply chain traceability and preparations for emerging EU sustainability regulations.
The delegation also explored opportunities to work with Dutch apparel brands and development partners on clean energy, circularity, digital product passports (DPPs) and workforce development.
Collet was accompanied by Wampie Libon, ambassador for sustainable development; Joris van Bommel, ambassador of the Netherlands to Bangladesh; Helal Hussain, country director of Swisscontact Bangladesh; Selim Reza Hasan, country manager of Solidaridad Network Bangladesh; Bablur Rahman, country manager for Bangladesh at Fair Wear Foundation; and Muyeed Hasan, country manager of AWARE Bangladesh.
TEAM Group Managing Director Afroza Shahin, Deputy Managing Director Abdullah Hil Nakib and senior officials of 4A Yarn Dyeing welcomed the delegation.
During a guided tour, the visitors saw the factory's production floors and inspected sustainability and worker welfare initiatives, including a rooftop solar power plant, a rainwater harvesting system, a fair-price shop and childcare facilities.
4A Yarn Dyeing Ltd holds LEED Platinum certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). It is also the world's first outerwear manufacturing unit to sign the United Nations Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action.
Praising the factory's sustainability efforts, Collet said, "Bangladesh's garment industry is an important part of global value chains, and its future depends on factories that combine competitiveness with responsibility. It was inspiring to see how 4A Yarn Dyeing is investing in clean energy and transparency."
"The Netherlands values its long-standing partnership with Bangladesh, and we look forward to continuing our cooperation towards a sustainable and inclusive textile sector," he added.
TEAM Group Managing Director Afroza Shahin said investment in sustainability was increasingly important for Bangladesh's apparel industry to remain competitive amid shifting global trade conditions.
"The Netherlands has long been a partner in our industry's journey towards safer, fairer and greener production," she said.
"Changing trade rules and the energy crisis both point in the same direction: the factories investing in sustainability today are the ones that will keep their markets tomorrow. We are proud to show what a Bangladeshi manufacturer can achieve, and we look forward to building on this partnership with the Netherlands," she added.
The visit underscored the growing importance of sustainable production, clean energy and international partnerships as Bangladesh prepares for its post-LDC transition.