Developing an Enabling Environment for EE Investments in the Ready-Made Garment Sector

Econoler is supporting the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) in strengthening the regulatory and institutional framework for energy efficiency (EE) in Bangladesh’s textile and ready-made garment (RMG) sectors under a program financed by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).

The initiative is aimed at unlocking private sector investments in energy-saving technologies through targeted financial and technical assistance. Econoler is providing specialized expertise to address critical gaps in market awareness, stakeholder capacity, and access to EE resources, thus paving the way for the large-scale adoption of innovative solutions.

Partnering with IDCOL –  Bangladesh’s key player in clean energy and infrastructure financing and backed by international donors such as the World Bank, JICA, and GIZ– Econoler is helping drive industrial competitiveness while contributing to national climate goals.

Under this mandate, Econoler is delivering a wide range of strategic and technical services to support the effective implementation of IDCOL’s EE program for Bangladesh’s textile and RMG sectors:

• Conduct stakeholder consultations and coordinate the inception phase;

• Review and advise on IDCOL’s Operations Manual to ensure smooth program execution;

• Develop a whistleblower policy aligned with IDCOL’S and GCF’s ethical standards;

• Organize a high-impact program launch to promote a concessional credit line;

• Conduct sector assessments, energy audits, and baseline studies to identify EE opportunities;

• Compile a database of proven EE equipment available in Bangladesh;

• Update IDCOL’s Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and tailor the ESMS for local financial institutions;

• Deliver capacity-building workshops for financial institutions to improve EE project evaluation and monitoring;

• Enhance the capacities of IDCOL and the National Designated Authority to engage effectively with the GCF;

• Conduct awareness workshops and technical training for RMG facility owners, managers, and workers;

• Develop and implement a robust monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) protocol;

• Integrate gender considerations into programme analysis and learning through the development of a gender-focused case study.;

• Identify bottlenecks in loan applications and provide tools to streamline the process;

• Offer ongoing support via a query management system and on-demand technical assistance;

• Assist IDCOL in identifying new EE investment opportunities and drafting GCF concept notes and funding proposal;

• Host a technology fair to increase the visibility and adoption of EE solutions in the sector.

These efforts will strengthen IDCOL’s institutional framework and boost RMG sector capacity to implement energy-efficient technologies, thus reducing costs, increasing competitiveness, and supporting Bangladesh’s climate and development goals.