DHAKA: US ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena said Rana Plaza building collapse and Tazreen Fashions fire have created an opportunity for Bangladesh to transform the apparel sector by bringing it to agreed standards for fire safety, factory structural soundness and respect for workers’ rights to freely associate and organize.

He expressed the hope saying “…often the darkest clouds of life have a silver lining”.

Mozena made the assertions in the introductory remarks of Sustainability Compact Review programme at Marriott Renaissance Hotel in Brussels on Monday (October 20).

He also said, “This opportunity to transform the apparel sector is unprecedented.

Never before have buyers, owners, workers, ILO, development partners and the government engaged with each other as they are now to help Bangladesh effect fundamental change of the apparel industry.  Indeed, the stars have nicely aligned to create this opportunity for transformation.”

He also hoped that “Bangladesh and all stakeholders can take pride in these achievements”.

Mozena also forewarned saying “we cannot be complacent” as critical steps remain to transform the apparel sector as envisioned in the Sustainability Compact and, earlier, the GSP Action Plan.

He also hoped that all stakeholders would engage earnestly and quickly to address and resolve those issues as soon as possible.  

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed also was present in the programme.

BDST: 1755 HRS, OCT 22, 2014