Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry received strong recognition at the inaugural ESG Excellence Awards 2026, with several manufacturers honored for demonstrated performance in areas including water management, carbon reduction, energy efficiency, green infrastructure, worker wellbeing and workforce development.
The awards were jointly organised by UN Global Compact Network Bangladesh and ESG Institute Bangladesh, with Shwapno as the programme’s power partner. The ceremony was held on 5 September 2026 at La Vita Hall, Lakeshore Grand in Gulshan, Dhaka.
The programme covered 20 ESG categories and received around 150 submissions from companies and individuals. The awards recognised achievements across environmental management, workplace development, corporate governance, supply chain practices, sustainability reporting and innovation.
Textile and apparel companies among key award recipients
Textile and apparel manufacturers featured prominently among the winners, reflecting the sector’s growing focus on measurable environmental and social performance.
Envoy Textiles Limited was among the most recognised companies from the sector. The company received Gold Awards for Water Stewardship and Efficiency, Carbon Emission Control, and Green Building and Sustainable Infrastructure. It also received a Silver Award for Worker Wellbeing and Workplace Improvement.
SQ Group, Urmi Group, Vintage Denim Apparels Ltd. of ABA Group, Palmal Group of Industries, Tasniah Fabrics Ltd. of Masco Group, Fakir Fashion Ltd. and Energypac Fashions Limited were also recognised across several ESG categories.
The awards covered many of the issues currently facing Bangladesh’s export-oriented textile and apparel sector. These include reducing water and energy consumption, managing carbon emissions, improving working conditions, developing employee skills, strengthening gender equity and improving sustainability reporting.
Award-winning textile and apparel companies
| Company | Category | Award |
| Envoy Textiles Limited | Water Stewardship and Efficiency | Gold |
| Carbon Emission Control | Gold | |
| Green Building and Sustainable Infrastructure | Gold | |
| Worker Wellbeing and Workplace Improvement | Silver | |
| SQ Group | ESG Strategy and Policy Implementation | Gold |
| Skills Development and Workforce Upskilling | Jury Special Award | |
| Gender Equity and Women Leadership Advancement | Gold | |
| Urmi Group | Accessibility and Inclusive Workplace Design | Gold |
| Gender Equity and Women Leadership Advancement | Jury Special Award | |
| ESG and Sustainability Reporting | Jury Special Award | |
| Vintage Denim Apparels Ltd. – ABA Group | Water Stewardship and Efficiency | Silver |
| ESG Strategy and Policy Implementation | Jury Special Award | |
| Palmal Group of Industries | Energy Transition and Efficiency | Silver |
| Tasniah Fabrics Ltd. – Masco Group | Carbon Emission Control | Silver |
| Fakir Fashion Ltd. | Carbon Emission Control | Jury Special Award |
| Energypac Fashions Limited | Green Building and Sustainable Infrastructure | Silver |
Focus on evidence and measurable ESG performance
A key feature of the ESG Excellence Awards was its emphasis on demonstrated performance.
Awards were presented across categories covering energy transition and efficiency, water stewardship, waste and circular practices, carbon emission control, occupational health and safety, worker wellbeing, skills development, gender equity, responsible supply chains, ESG reporting, sustainable products and digital innovation.
An independent jury comprising professionals from regulation, academia, finance and industry evaluated the submissions. Applicants were also required to provide written clarification when claims were not sufficiently supported by evidence.
Shahamin S. Zaman, Executive Director of UN Global Compact Network Bangladesh, said Bangladesh’s ESG conversation is moving from what companies believe to what they can demonstrate.
Shadman Sakib Anik, Founder and Executive Director of ESG Institute Bangladesh, said the awards would help establish a benchmark for future participants.
For manufacturers, this distinction is becoming increasingly relevant. Sustainability commitments, policies and certifications remain important, but buyers, investors and regulators are placing greater attention on data, performance indicators and evidence of actual improvement.
Government and diplomatic representatives attend the ceremony
Abdul Awal Mintoo, Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, attended the event as chief guest. Speaking at the ceremony, he highlighted the role of businesses and manufacturing facilities in helping Bangladesh meet its climate ambitions.
The programme was also attended by Michael Miller, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh; Christian Brix Møller, Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh; Nicolas Weeks, Ambassador of Sweden to Bangladesh; Nuzhat Anwar, Managing Director of Dhaka Stock Exchange PLC; and Farooq Sobhan, Network Representative of UN Global Compact Network Bangladesh, among other guests.
Farooq Sobhan delivered the welcome remarks, while Nuzhat Anwar discussed the growing importance of ESG disclosure from an investor and capital-market perspective.
Representatives from the diplomatic community also highlighted the value of independent recognition based on measurable ESG performance.
Three industry leaders receive climate action recognition
The Championing Climate Action Award recognised three industry leaders for their contributions to climate action:
Shamarukh Fakhruddin, Director of Urmi Group
Md. Subail Bin Alam, Chief Operating Officer of Rancon Infrastructures and Engineering
S. M. Mahbubul Alam, Managing Director of Walton Hi-Tech Industries
Their recognition added an individual dimension to the programme, alongside the company-level awards presented across the 20 ESG categories.
What the awards mean for Bangladesh’s textile and apparel industry
For Bangladesh’s textile and apparel manufacturers, the ESG Excellence Awards highlight a wider change in how sustainability performance is being assessed.
The focus is gradually moving beyond policy commitments and certifications towards measurable results in areas such as energy use, water efficiency, carbon emissions, worker wellbeing, skills development and corporate governance.
This matters for a sector that remains closely connected to global brands and international supply chains. Buyers are asking suppliers for more detailed sustainability data, while financial institutions and regulators are also increasing their focus on ESG disclosure and transparency.
Manufacturers that can show measurable progress may be better positioned to build confidence among customers, investors and other stakeholders.
The recognition received by Bangladeshi textile and apparel companies at the first ESG Excellence Awards also shows the range of work already taking place across the industry. From water stewardship at textile mills to energy efficiency, inclusive workplace design and women’s leadership, ESG performance is becoming increasingly connected to day-to-day factory operations.
Applications for the ESG Excellence Awards 2027 are expected to open early next year.
