DHAKA, July 16, 2025 – Gildan Activewear Inc., Canada’s largest investor in Bangladesh, is playing a pivotal role in fostering sustainable and inclusive economic growth in the Indo-Pacific region, reinforcing Canada’s commitment to building trade that benefits communities across borders. Since establishing its presence in Bangladesh in 2010, Gildan has expanded to operate three factories and a distribution hub, employing over 9,000 Bangladeshis and integrating its Dhaka office into its global network, which includes operations in Canada, Central America, the Caribbean, and North America.
On July 15, 2025, Weldon Epp, Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) for the Indo-Pacific at Global Affairs Canada, visited Gildan’s Dhaka office to explore how the company’s investments can further drive quality job creation in both Bangladesh and Canada. The visit underscored Canada’s strategic focus on expanding sustainable trade and investment ties with Bangladesh, a key player in the Indo-Pacific region. Discussions with Gildan and Bangladeshi officials, including Commerce, Civil Aviation, and Tourism Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam, centered on boosting partnerships in agriculture, clean technology, and sustainable manufacturing to promote innovation and inclusive growth.
Gildan’s operations in Bangladesh exemplify its commitment to sustainability, a cornerstone of its business model. The company has been recognized for the fourth consecutive year as one of Canada’s Best 50 Corporate Citizens by Corporate Knights and was named to TIME’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies list for 2025, one of only two companies in the textiles and clothing manufacturing sector to receive this honor. Gildan’s vertically integrated supply chain, which eliminates subcontracting risks, has enabled significant sustainability investments, including a $20 million water recycling plant and a proprietary “Genesis” dyeing system that uses 90% less water than conventional methods. In 2024, Gildan reduced water intensity at its manufacturing facilities by 25.2% per kilogram produced and increased sustainable cotton sourcing to 77.3%, aligning with global decarbonization goals.“Gildan’s sustainable growth strategy demonstrates that business success and environmental responsibility go hand in hand,” said Glenn Chamandy, President and CEO of Gildan. “Our investments in Bangladesh not only create thousands of jobs but also set a standard for ethical and eco-conscious manufacturing.”
Canada’s broader commitment to Bangladesh includes leveraging expertise from institutions like Université de Montréal and the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing to support the professional development of Bangladesh’s healthcare workforce, further fostering inclusive growth. However, challenges remain, including the recent reimposition of a 35% U.S. tariff on Bangladeshi goods, which threatens the country’s $10 billion garment trade and could impact jobs in the sector. Despite these hurdles, Bangladesh is poised to lead sustainable apparel manufacturing, with government investments in green factories and digital compliance systems attracting ESG-conscious investors like Gildan.
As Bangladesh aims to become a regional manufacturing powerhouse by 2035, Gildan’s efforts align with the country’s push for value-added production and sustainable practices. The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has emphasized the need to shift from volume-driven exports to higher-value products to ensure long-term resilience, a goal Gildan’s innovations support. With Canada’s backing, Gildan’s investments are not only boosting trade but also building stronger, more sustainable communities in Bangladesh and beyond.
