Online Seminar 11

One Year COVID-19 - How are we Getting Through the Crisis?

Tuesday, 24 November 2020 at 10 AM (Berlin) / 4 PM (Bangkok) / 5 PM (Beijing) – 90 Minutes

In the eleventh online seminar of GIZ FABRIC´s online seminar series, we will look at crucial moments for the textile and garment industry in Asia since the start of the pandemic and capture the change of conversation about the effects of the crisis from the early beginning until now: Which approaches to ensure sustainability have proven successful and should be shared across the region? Which insights and lessons learned have we gained which can help us build a more resilient industry in the future? What changes do we expect to see in the industry in the year ahead? We are looking forward to a conversation with:

Mr. Edwin Keh

CEO, The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel (HKRITA).

Edwin is the CEO of The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel and teaches supply chain operations at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Prior to joining HKRITA, Edwin was the SVP COO of Wal-Mart Global Procurement and held various other positions working on supply chains, manufacturing and product design. Furthermore, he is on the advisory board of multiple social enterprises and NGOs, including the H&M Foundation’s Global Change Award. In 2019, Edwin was named the best of Top 50 Innovative Retail Leaders by Inside Retail Hong Kong.

Mr. Miran Ali

Managing Director, Bitopi Group, Director, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)

Miran is a leading garment entrepreneur, leading Bitopi Group in Bangladesh as Managing Director. His passion for social responsibility and environmental sustainability motivated him to introduce green practices in his workplaces, emphasizing sustainability as one of the key factors for businesses to succeed. Miran is also active in various associations and networks as director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), which has taken a strong role in communication during the crisis and as a member of the STAR Network of regional producer associations.

Mr. Stephen Frost

Co-Founder, GoBlu, Professor, CUHK Business School

Stephen is a well-recognized pioneer in sustainability in Asia, having a wealth of experience consulting with companies across the region. He worked for the Asia Monitor Research Centre, co-founded and managed Asia’s first CSR boutique consulting firm, CSR Asia and has held advisory board positions assisting organizations on sustainability for Solidaridad, HP, and the GSCP as well as publishing widely on the topic of sustainability as part of his academic activities. Besides teaching at the CUHK Business School and being a director at GoBlu, he is the editor of the Sustainability Fashion Week in Review newsletter.

Mr. Marc Beckmann

Project Director, FABRIC, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Marc is Project Director of GIZs regional programme FABRIC, overseeing its activities in six countries: Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Pakistan, China and Cambodia, where Marc is also based. Prior to joining FABRIC, he held various senior positions in German Development Cooperation and United Nations agencies. Marc also has extensive experience in the private sector, for example, working for the world’s largest coffee trader, the Neumann Kaffee Gruppe, on innovative public-private partnerships to foster sustainability in supply chains.

Moderation by Alexandra Behns, Coordinator Regional Cooperation, GIZ FABRIC.

The online seminar is open for all industry stakeholders and free to attend. To register, please click here