ICCB, ADB, and ITC host sustainability standards workshop for SMEs in Dhaka - Trade Treasury Payments

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ICCB, ADB, and ITC host sustainability standards workshop for SMEs in Dhaka

The International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICCB), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank’s Trade and Supply Chain Finance Program (TSCFP) and the International Trade Centre (ITC), hosted a workshop in Dhaka to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) learn about sustainability standards for export competitiveness.

The event, “Find and Pursue the Right Standards for Your Business: A Hands-on Workshop with the SME Toolkit,” drew approximately 40 participants from Bangladesh’s apparel, textiles, leather, and related industries. It formed part of a pilot initiative to test and implement the ITC/ADB Sustainability Standards Navigation Toolkit.

AK Azad, Vice President of ICC Bangladesh, inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest. In his address, he described SMEs as the backbone of the economy and noted their role in transitioning Bangladesh from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, which is expected to occur in 2026.

Azad said, “With middle-income status approaching, local enterprises will face greater international competition. Building SME capacity is essential not only for economic resilience but also for improving supply chain performance.”

The SME Toolkit, developed jointly by ITC and ADB, is designed to help businesses assess their readiness for certification, enhance understanding of global sustainability standards, and receive targeted recommendations to for complying with international benchmarks.

Azad added, “This workshop is part of a broader effort to engage textile, apparel, and footwear manufacturers in identifying practical steps toward global standards adoption.”

ITC Associate Programme Officer Dang Tuan Duc and Software Engineer Niklas Anders Andersson led technical sessions during the event, which was moderated by Ataur Rahman,  Secretary General of ICC Bangladesh.

ICC Bangladesh expressed its intention to continue such capacity-building programmes in the future to further strengthen SME export performance.