Collaboration: GIZ, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Starting date: April 5, 2026
Completion date: June 30, 2027

Project description: The Ready-Made Garment (RMG) industry is the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy. As the world’s second-largest apparel exporter, the sector plays an important role in driving export revenue, generating foreign earnings, and creating employment, particularly for women.

However, global trade rules and regulations are continuously evolving. New requirements such as digital product passports and environmental due diligence frameworks are either already being implemented or are in the process of adoption across major export markets.

In this context, the Sustainability in the Textile Sector (STILE II) project, implemented by GIZ, aims to support Bangladesh’s textile and RMG industry in aligning with European Union (EU) sustainability requirements. Following the Same, GIZ has commissioned SANEM for this assignment, focusing on defining and operationalising the concept of “alignment with EU sustainability requirements,” covering key regulatory areas including environmental sustainability, social sustainability, and supply chain transparency.

The research will also map relevant EU sustainability regulations, review the STILE II project result matrix, and develop operational definitions and narratives for project activities. It will further evaluate the project’s direct and indirect contributions to EU sustainability goals, including gender equality, policy coherence, and institutional coordination.

The findings and recommendations emerging from this research will guide the STILE II project in meeting EU standards and provide an evidence-based foundation for advancing sustainability across Bangladesh’s textile sector.

Theme: Trade and regional integration

Team leader:
Dr Selim Raihan, Policy Advisory Specialist

Team members:
Zubayer Hossen, Qualitative Research and Monitoring Expert
Dipa Das, Research and Visualization Assistant