That day, I spoke to a Bangladeshi scholar Chartered Accountant living in the UK Md. Shahabuddin Bhai. Son of Chandpur. I liked his talk a lot. A friendly personality. A very open-minded and simple-minded person. Where compatriots loot the country's money and build mountains of wealth abroad, he thinks of providing more employment for the people of the country and sending remittances from abroad.

He praised Enterprise 360 ​​Limited's efforts to develop sustainable business. The words came to mind about our ready-made garment industry. Along with our dark future. He explained why developed countries import their clothes from third world countries like Bangladesh instead of manufacturing them in their own country. The reason for the convenience of cheap labor that we consider as the main reason for the development of this industry in our country is actually not the main reason; rather, it is a secondary reason. The main reason is another. He explained the matter very well. I understood and was afraid to see the dark future of the nation. It seems that more writing and discussion on this issue is needed to increase awareness at all levels, including the policy-making stage. Perhaps appropriate initiatives can be taken to reduce our risks.

As a regulator of the development of the garment industry, we talk about our cheap labor. Due to which we can supply garments to the world market at a lower cost than our competitors, developed countries buy garments from us. If production cost is the main reason, then costs can be reduced by using robots. In the era of the fourth industrial revolution, work is being done on robotic process automation and 3D printers to make the production system more cost-effective. Nowadays, the use of robots is being observed in any type of industrial factory, heavy or light, in Europe and America. This has increased productivity. Along with this, costs have also decreased. Therefore, it is possible to reduce costs by implementing RPA in garment factories as well.

The question is, then why are the developed countries not building garment factories? Why do they import garments from third world countries or invest in garment factories here? After talking to Shahabuddin Bhai, the reason became clear.

A large amount of chemicals are used in the garment industry. A large amount of water is consumed for applying and cleaning those chemicals. Especially in the dyeing and washing units, water consumption is high. Research has shown that an average of 250-300 liters of fresh water is consumed in producing one kilogram of fabric. After use, that water is no longer drinkable. It becomes polluted. That polluted water again pollutes the water of rivers, canals and ponds. However, there is a shortage of fresh water in all countries. And if it becomes polluted or unusable, where will the situation be? Policymakers in developed countries can understand this. If they want, they can reduce production costs by using robots. But how can they reduce water costs? Water has to be consumed for the garment industry.

It is said that the Third World War will be fought over water. The reason is that excessive water use and water pollution in industries will reduce the amount of drinking water in the world to an incredible extent. Policymakers in developed countries are alert to this. Even China, which leads the ready-made garment market, is moving its garment factories from its country and setting them up elsewhere. But we are not alert. We are working extensively to develop and grow the garment industry. But do we have proper measures to control water use and pollution? Do we have any measures to control air pollution? We all know more or less what is there and what is not in this country. This is why I am more afraid. Many of the garment industry owners have homes abroad. They will take refuge there in times of trouble. We don't have any. Where will we go?

Shahabuddin Bhai said another thing beautifully. We are increasing medical colleges and hospitals every year to provide services to sick people. But we have no initiative to keep people healthy.

Author: Entrepreneur Economist and Sustainable Business Development Expert; Chairman, Enterprise 360 ​​Ltd. and School of Entrepreneurship Development