The Embassy of Sweden, Swisscontact (PROGRESS), and SGS Bangladesh Limited Collaborate to Mark a Full-Day Higg Facility Environmental Module Training for Factory Personnel

Upskilling and Reskilling, Labour market insertion, Green cities
27.09.2023
SGS Bangladesh Limited partners with Swisscontact for the PROGRESS program, funded by SIDA, to enhance sustainability and compliance in Bangladesh's RMG sector, offering technical support to six Tier-2 factories, including Higg FEM training for environmental assessments.

SGS Bangladesh Limited, a world leading Testing, Inspection and Certification company, is proud to announce its partnership with Swisscontact to implement Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector Through Skills (PROGRESS) program. This four-year initiative, spanning from 2022 to 2026, is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Embassy of Sweden in Bangladesh; and it aims to drive sustainability, productivity, and compliance improvements within the ready-made garments (RMG) sector in Bangladesh.

As part of this transformative program, SGS Bangladesh Limited will collaborate closely with PROGRESS to provide necessary technical knowledge and support to six RMG factories, classified as Tier-2, located in key industrial areas including Dhaka, Gazipur, Narayanganj, and Chattogram. The focus of this collaboration is to enhance productivity, promote environmentally sustainable practices through green skilling, and ensure compliance with international standards and regulations.

One of the pivotal activities marking the beginning of this partnership is a day-long Training session about the Higg Facility Environmental Module (Higg FEM), took place on September 14, 2023, at SGS Bangladesh country office. The Higg FEM training session represents a significant step toward fostering sustainable growth in the RMG sector. This training aims to equip trainees with comprehensive knowledge and skills in using the Higg Index for sustainability assessments, fostering a deeper understanding of its application in the industry. It will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, insights, and best practices, enabling the participating factories to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to reduce their environmental footprint while improving overall efficiency.

The Higg FEM training event witnessed the presence of notable figures, including Mr. Ikarmul Sohel, National Programme Officer at the Embassy of Sweden; Ms. Syeda Ishrat Fatema, Team Leader at Swisscontact for the PROGRESS project; Mr. Engr. Abdur Rashid, Country Manager, SGS Bangladesh Limited; and Ms. Yeasmin Akther, Business Manager, SGS Bangladesh Limited along with Senior Management and representatives from the selected Tier-2 factories.

News link: SGS Bangladesh Partners with Swisscontact for Green Growth in RMG Sector

2022 - 2026
Bangladesh
Upskilling and Reskilling, Labour market insertion, Green cities
Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector Through Skills (PROGRESS)
Promoting Green Growth in the Ready-Made Garments Sector Through Skills (PROGRESS) project envisions contributing to the development of an inclusive, environmentally responsible, and competitive RMG sector in Bangladesh that can offer productive, well paid, secured, and decent job opportunities to workers, mostly women, and at the same time, adapt to the evolving needs of the global market in terms of technological advancement and ESG standards.