Helena Helmersson, chief executive officer of the Swedish retail giant H&M Group, met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on May 30 to discuss the development of the garment industry and the competitive position of the country.

Since H&M Group partnered with its first Bangladeshi suppliers in 1982, the country has become one of H&M Group's largest production countries.

The group's production office in Dhaka, with a local team of 500 people, maintains a continuous dialogue with local suppliers and partners, the H&M said in a statement.

The meeting held at the Gono Bhaban in Dhaka brings an important opportunity to further exchange views on the development of the garment industry and to discuss challenges and opportunities moving forward, according to the statement.

At the centre of the conversation was the transformation of the garment industry to become more circular and how to advance the transformation of the Bangladeshi renewable energy market with systemic solutions, with mechanisms such as corporate power purchase agreements to increase the generation of renewable electricity in the garment industry.

In addition, Helmersson met State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shahriar Alam to discuss the future development of the garment industry in Bangladesh and what reforms could support the competitive position of Bangladesh as a sourcing destination going forward, amidst changing legislations in many countries.