In late August, I joined the Nirapon Board of Directors in Dhaka for a week of rich discussions and engagement. It was a privilege to spend time in Bangladesh, connecting directly with our partners and reaffirming the shared purpose that drives our work.
One of the highlights was our industry leaders dinner – bringing together factory owners and executives with the Nirapon board and senior team. We spoke openly about the challenges we all face and the opportunities to build stronger industrial workplace cultures of safety. I was pleased to welcome the recently appointed President of the BGMEA Mr Mahmud Hasan Khan, who joined Walmart’s VP of Sourcing, Rama Chug to discuss the multiple challenges facing the RMG sector – from tariffs to political change to rising energy costs. The honesty and commitment in the room left me encouraged about what we can accomplish when we listen and learn from one another.
We also had the chance to engage with important partners outside of Nirapon. Our discussions with Government leaders, including International Envoy Mr Lutfey Siddiqi, international leaders, including The US Ambassador Ms Tracey Ann Jacobson, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and our meeting with the Board Directors of the BGMEA, reminded me that change in Bangladesh’s industry doesn’t come from one group alone it requires all of us, working together, to build a safer, stronger future.
I left the week feeling both proud of Nirapon’s progress and grateful for the many people who share and contribute to our mission. These moments of connection remind me that while the work is complex, the purpose is simple: to keep workers safe.
