Shama urges Eswatini to source eco-friendly Bangladeshi apparel

Bangladesh has urged Eswatini to increase imports of sustainable and affordable Bangladeshi garment products, highlighting the country's growing commitment to environmentally responsible manufacturing and circularity in the apparel industry.

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam made the call during a bilateral meeting with Eswatini Prime Minister Russell Dlamini at the Bangladesh Pavilion in the Blue Zone of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, on Thursday (12 November).

The two leaders discussed opportunities to expand bilateral trade, investment, climate cooperation and people-to-people ties, according to a foreign ministry press release issued here today.

During the meeting, the state minister highlighted Bangladesh's initiatives to promote sustainability and circular practices in the readymade garment industry, positioning Bangladeshi apparel as an affordable and environmentally responsible choice for international markets.

She also underscored the potential of jute, Bangladesh's golden fibre, as a renewable and biodegradable alternative to plastic products.

Commending Eswatini's ban on single-use plastic bags, Shama Obaed suggested that Bangladeshi jute and jute-based products could provide environmentally friendly alternatives.

She invited the Eswatini prime minister to visit Bangladesh's jute pavilion in the COP31 Green Zone to explore the diversity and commercial potential of jute products.

The state minister also outlined Bangladesh's climate priorities, including limiting global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius, ensuring predictable and accessible grant-based climate finance, strengthening adaptation efforts and promoting a just energy transition.

She highlighted Bangladesh's target of generating 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 percent by 2040.

Prime Minister Dlamini appreciated Bangladesh's contribution to international climate negotiations and observed that the two countries shared similar priorities in addressing climate challenges.

Both sides discussed strengthening cooperation between COP31 in Antalya and COP32, scheduled to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Healthcare cooperation also featured prominently in the discussions.

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Dlamini highlighted Eswatini's healthcare needs, while the state minister expressed Bangladesh's readiness to support the African nation through its pharmaceutical industry, which exports affordable, quality-assured medicines to more than 150 countries.

The two sides reaffirmed their longstanding friendly relations as Commonwealth members and partners in the Global South, agreeing to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment and multilateral forums.

Shama Obaed also sought Eswatini's continued support for the early repatriation of forcibly displaced Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.

Eswatini's Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Jane Mkhonta-Simelane and Special Assistant to the Bangladesh Prime Minister Dr Saimum Parvez attended the meeting.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the state minister presented Dlamini with a jacket made from Bangladeshi jute fabric.

The Eswatini prime minister appreciated the gift and Bangladesh's efforts to promote environmentally sustainable jute products.