The inaugural two-day Best of Bangladesh Europe event was a platform to share the nation's sustainable and responsible manufacturing practices and establish joint objectives and goals between different stakeholders with MOUs.

Bangladesh Apparel Exchange organised it with support from the Embassy of Bangladesh, the Ministry of Commerce, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) of Bangladesh, and in partnership with global fashion infrastructure company PDS Limited.

Three MoUs were signed during the event to help with the development of Bangladesh's industries:

• The first MoU was between Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and social and economic impact advisory firm Eindhoven International Project Office (EIPO)
• The second MoU was inked between Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and non-profit Apparel Impact Institute (Aii), which funds and scales projects to improve the fashion sector's problematic environmental impacts
• The third MoU was established between Bangladesh Apparel Exchange and charity organisation Oxfam.

Apparel Impact Institute (Aii)'s president Lewis Perkins says: "Bangladesh is one of the largest garment producers in the textile industry (in terms of volume), and a significant contributor to the sector’s total carbon emissions.

“Partnerships with Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) aim to accelerate the work of the country’s climate action. The climate action undertaken by Bangladesh has proven to be valuable in reaching and educating new audiences to help attain our impact goals. Also, their INSIGHT provides key information to industry stakeholders in reaching their science-based targets (SBTs)."

In a video message Professor Jan Peter Balkenende, Minister of State and former Prime Minister of Kingdom of the Netherlands put emphasis on the Netherlands and Bangladesh's cooperation for sustainable growth.

Bangladesh Apparel Exchange founder & CEO Mostafiz Uddin said “Best of Bangladesh Europe is a testament to Bangladesh’s ability in sustainable and responsible manufacturing.”

Kingdom of the Netherlands vice minister of foreign economic relations Michiel Sweers believes the dialogue from the event will accelerate the momentum in terms of sustainable business.

Over 35 companies attended the event spanning various sectors, including apparel, textiles, agriculture and handicrafts.

Last month Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan suggested innovation along with responsible and sustainable business practices were the driving factors behind the growing popularity of Made in Bangladesh garments.