Bangladesh has a significant opportunity to become a sustainable global supply chain hub by embracing circular economy principles, attracting green investment, and enhancing export competitiveness.
EuroCham Bangladesh Chairperson Nuria Lopez made the remarks at the launch ceremony of the Society for Asian Circular Innovation Network on Saturday at the BCI Conference Room in Dhaka.
‘Embracing circularity now presents Bangladesh with a major opportunity to become a sustainable global supply chain hub, attract green investment, strengthen exports to Europe, and ensure long-term economic and environmental resilience,’ Lopez said, emphasising that sustainability is no longer a distant policy goal but an urgent economic necessity.
The event marked the formal beginning of SACIN’s journey under the slogan, ‘Think Circular, Innovate Regionally, Impact globally’, as a regional research and policy think tank dedicated to advancing circular economy solutions across Asia.
The organisation aims to promote sustainable development through research, innovation, policy engagement, and regional collaboration, with an initial focus on Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector before expanding into agriculture, manufacturing, construction, healthcare, plastics, energy, and other key industries.
Saudi Arabia-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Ashraful Haq Chowdhury, former chemistry department chairman Monir Uddin of the University of Chittagong, Organisation for Reduction of Carbon Footprint in Bangladesh president ZM Golam Nabi and editor of Energy and Power Mollah Amzad Hossain attended the event.
SACIN founder president Priti Chakraborty said the network seeks to challenge the traditional ‘take-make-dispose’ economic model, which she described as increasingly incompatible with environmental realities and long-term industrial growth.
The organisation announced future initiatives such as an Asian Sustainability Data and AI Portal, a Circular Tech and Innovation Marketplace, SACIN Academy and Certification programmes, a Circular Solutions Investment Platform, and an Asian Circular Economy and Climate Summit.
Mollah Amzad Hossain highlighted that while Bangladesh has strong environmental and energy policies, implementation is lacking.
Amzad warned of pollution from coal plants, high-sulfur oil, and unsafe waste practices, urging for stronger public-private partnerships to develop coal, gas, and renewable energy resources while reducing import dependence.
