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‘Efficient use of energy essential to sustain global competitiveness’


Published : 22 May 2021 10:30 PM | Updated : 23 May 2021 12:57 PM

“It will be difficult to survive in the competition if we cannot ensure efficient use of energy. It is needed to study our position in the use of energy as compared to the competitors in the garment and textile industries, which would be easy to find out what kind of initiatives could be taken to further reduce fuel costs,” said Md Habibur Rahman, Secretary of Power Division. 

He made the comments at a virtual seminar titled "Working Group Concept to Promote Energy Efficiency in Garment and Textile Industry" organized by Energy & Power magazine with the support of SREDA and GIZ on Saturday. Energy and Power Editor Mollah M Amzad Hossain was conducted the seminar.

Habibur Rahman further said, “At the end of the day we have to compete. It is very important to use quality fuel. The power division will play a supportive role in these cases.’

He said, 85 per cent export earnings of Bangladesh comes from textile and garment sectors. Many industries are working to ensure economical use of energy, but many industries have not yet been brought under it. 

At least the things that can be achieved easily can be used. MoUs have been signed on how to work in BGMEA member companies. This will allow more companies to come forward. 

He promised to consider any incentives to encourage efficient use of energy in the coming days.

BGMEA President Faruque Hasan said ‘the garment sector is trying its best to ensure efficient use of all resources including fuel. I believe it is possible to go further collectively. BGME is working to protect the environment. Out of top 10 green factories in the world, 8 are now in Bangladesh. Ready-made garment industry has done a lot of work to increase fuel efficiency to increase competitiveness. To take this further, BGMEA has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SREDA. Under this, such work can be further expanded.’

Energy expert Prof Ijaz Hossain said, “There is a big problem in Bangladesh, we do not get proper data. Many times accurate information is not given. The garment industry is a big sector, the working group concept is a good concept, but there are doubts about how it will be implemented in small factories. Because they also do not have the necessary skilled manpower.”

SREDA Chairman Mohammad Alauddin said, “Solar net metering system is a big achievement for us. The present initiative will bring success in ensuring efficient use of energy in the textile and readymade garment factories.”

Marcus Bissell of GIZ (Vietnam) said, Vietnam now ranks fifth in the world in the garment industry, where working 3.5 million workers and its growth is 7.5 percent. Vietnam's energy costs are 1.5 to 1.7 percent higher than those of China and Thailand. Vietnam has officially launched a special program to ensure affordable energy. Of these, plans have been made to start work on the Energy Walking Group concept in 30 energy-intensive factories.

GIZ adviser Shafiqul Alam presented the key note paper, where he said that at present 3740 kilotons of oil equivalent (KTOE) is being used in the textile and readymade garment sectors. If efficient use of fuel can be ensured in all factories, it will be possible to save 1159 KTOE fuel.

International Energy Specialist Engineer Khandaker Salek Sufi, Energy expert Dr Nurul Islam also spoke at the seminar.