The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Bangladesh and the Institute of Policy Studies of Sri Lanka (IPS), in partnership with Southern Voice, will host a webinar focused on solutions to the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic has created in apparel supplying countries, in particular Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Researchers from CPD and IPS will present the findings and recommendations of a study which explores a value-chain-based solution for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where major market players will implement responsible business practices to support a sustainable recovery of both countries’ apparel sectors.
Ahead of the publication of the report, the authors will be discussing their findings on Tuesday, 20 April 2021 from 7:00-8:30 pm (Sri Lanka time) via Zoom. This webinar will offer key global apparel value chain stakeholders, particularly those based in Europe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka an opportunity to provide insights into how to implement solutions for the recovery of the apparel sector.
The webinar is expected to be attended by the global apparel value chain’s key stakeholders worldwide, particularly those based in Europe, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The discussion will be live-streamed on both CPD’s official Facebook page and IPS’ official Facebook page. Those interested in registering for the event can contact Dharinya Ganesharaja, Communications Officer, IPS on +94 112143100 / 2665068 or email: dharinya@ips.lk / communications@ips.lk.
The programme schedule is as follows:
| Timeline | Event’s Activity |
| 3 Minutes | Introductory Remarks by Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, CPD |
| 12 Minutes | Keynote Presentation by Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director, CPD, and Kithmina Hewage, Research Economist, IPS |
| Moderated discussion | Moderator: Prof. Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, CPD |
| 40 Minutes | Panel Discussion: Felix Fernandez-Shaw, Director, Sustainable Development Policy and Coordination (INTPA.D), European Commission (TBC); Craig Churchill, Chief, Social Finance Programme, ILO Geneva; Pierre Börjesson, Head of Sustainability – Global Production, H&M Group; Mostafiz Uddin, Founder and CEO, Bangladesh Apparel Exchange; Binu Wickramasinghe, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Design Collective Store; and Husni Salieh, Director – Strategic Transformation, MAS Holdings |
| 30 Minutes | Open Floor Discussion |
| 5 Minutes | Closing Remarks by Moderator |