Kmart, Australia’s largest single apparel buyer, is exploring new avenues to support sustainability in Bangladesh’s garment industry, following a meeting with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Mahmud Hasan Khan on August 11 at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara.
The Kmart delegation comprised Chief People and Corporate Affairs Officer Tristram Gray, Head of Ethical Sourcing Albert Young, and Ethical Sourcing Manager for Kmart Australia and New Zealand and Target Australia Obyad Gazi, according to a BGMEA statement.
BGMEA Senior Vice President Inamul Haq Khan, Vice President Md Rezwan Selim, Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Vice President Md Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, Directors Faisal Samad, Nafis-Ud-Doula and Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz also attended.
Tristram Gray said Kmart valued its long-standing business relationship with Bangladesh and was committed to expanding cooperation in new areas.
The discussion centred on BGMEA’s sustainability priorities and ways Kmart could contribute.
Mahmud Hasan Khan said sustainability was a top BGMEA priority, adding that the board had initiated dialogue with all labour federations soon after taking office to foster harmonious industrial relations.
He detailed initiatives for workers’ welfare and measures to boost competitiveness through technology, innovation and skills development.
He called for a unified code of conduct for the apparel sector to streamline audits, ease factory pressures and make the industry more ethical, sustainable and responsible, seeking Kmart’s cooperation in this effort.
Both sides discussed leveraging Australia’s duty-free market access for Bangladesh to boost apparel exports. The BGMEA president urged Kmart to strengthen supplier partnerships to expand product diversity.
The meeting also explored organising trade fairs in Australia and sending trade delegations. Kmart representatives said they would connect any BGMEA trade mission to Australian policymakers.
BGMEA urged Kmart to help promote Bangladesh’s apparel industry strengths, capabilities and sustainable practices globally.
