Bangladesh faces mounting water stress due to the impacts of climate change, rapid urbanization, and industrialization. Intensive groundwater extraction, driven by rapid urban development and population growth, is significantly depleting the aquifers. Unsustainable groundwater extraction is also prevalent across several key industries in Bangladesh, including the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) and the leather industry. These industries also pollute the local ecosystem, undermining their own long-term global reputation and business sustainability. At the same time, Climate change is exacerbating both problems: longer, hotter dry spells reduce river flows and increase water demand, erratic monsoons and intense downpours contaminate waterways.

For ensuring proper water management, the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) has implemented several innovative public sector projects and is promoting private sector participation through Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Several water PPP projects have obtained CENA approval, and PPP Authority is gradually moving towards the transaction process for these projects[1]. Global Brands operating in Bangladesh are also working as partners to ensure industrial wastewater treatment. As global standards and due diligence rules become more stringent, there is increasing scrutiny on the environmental impact of the apparel sector, particularly regarding water usage and pollution. This has prompted brands to promote water-efficient technologies, enforce stricter chemical controls, and ensure verified outcomes across high-risk supplier clusters. Brand-led initiatives such as the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC), alongside donor-supported pilot programs like IFC PaCT and SMEP, are all contributing to the development of wastewater recovery facilities in Bangladesh's RMG factories.

At the same time, many local RMG factories recognise that the adoption of advanced water‑recovery technologies can help them fulfil emerging due diligence expectations (e.g., EU rules) and buyer frameworks.  Recently, Fakir Knitwear of Bangladesh implemented Panta Rei’s pioneering wastewater recovery facility for reducing freshwater withdrawal and wastewater discharge by 25–30%[2]. Similar innovative approaches are emerging in other industries. For instance, the Apex tanning unit has obtained Bangladesh’s first LWG Gold status with a traceability A rating^[3]. Subsequently, Riff Leather, SAF Industries, Superex Leather, and ABC Leather obtained LWG certification.

While different Business to Business (B2B) and PPP projects are gradually making progress, Bangladesh needs to accelerate its efforts to achieve SDG6.3 and 6.4. The GoB acknowledges its responsibility in this initiative, but mobilizing private sector involvement and capital is also essential. Developing commercially viable projects for private sector participation can be a challenging and time-consuming process without a clear, phased plan. The process begins with identifying commercially viable project leads, which should be based on realistic business cases. Once these viable project leads are identified (hereafter referred to as phase one), it is possible to design innovative water projects that are suitable for private sector participation (hereafter referred to as phase two). The World Bank’s 2030 Water Resources Group in Bangladesh recognise the need to first identify[4]  bankable water projects (phase one) and subsequently support the GoB in the implementation of projects (phase two).

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REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)

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ASSIGNMENT OVERVIEW

Assignment Title: Scoping Study for Identifying Bankable Project Leads in Water Reuse and Recycling in Bangladesh

Assignment Countries:

• Bangladesh

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTION

Bangladeshfaces mounting water stress due to the impacts of climate change, rapidurbanization, and industrialization. Intensive groundwater extraction, drivenby rapid urban development and population growth, is significantly depletingthe aquifers. Unsustainable groundwater extraction is also prevalent acrossseveral key industries in Bangladesh, including the Ready-Made Garments (RMG)and the leather industry. These industries also pollute the local ecosystem,undermining their own long-term global reputation and business sustainability.At the same time, Climate change is exacerbating both problems: longer, hotterdry spells reduce river flows and increase water demand, erratic monsoons andintense downpours contaminate waterways.

Forensuring proper water management, the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) hasimplemented several innovative public sector projects and is promoting privatesector participation through Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Several waterPPP projects have obtained CENA approval, and PPP Authority is gradually movingtowards the transaction process for these projects[1].Global Brands operating in Bangladesh are also working as partners to ensureindustrial wastewater treatment. As global standards and due diligence rulesbecome more stringent, there is increasing scrutiny on the environmental impactof the apparel sector, particularly regarding water usage and pollution. Thishas prompted brands to promote water-efficient technologies, enforce stricterchemical controls, and ensure verified outcomes across high-risk supplierclusters. Brand-led initiatives such as the Zero Discharge of HazardousChemicals (ZDHC), alongside donor-supported pilot programs like IFC PaCT andSMEP, are all contributing to the development of wastewater recovery facilitiesin Bangladesh's RMG factories.

Atthe same time, many local RMG factories recognise that the adoption of advancedwater‑recoverytechnologies can help them fulfil emerging due diligence expectations (e.g., EUrules) and buyer frameworks. Recently,Fakir Knitwear of Bangladesh implemented Panta Rei’s pioneering wastewaterrecovery facility for reducing freshwater withdrawal and wastewater dischargeby 25–30%[2].Similar innovative approaches are emerging in other industries. For instance,the Apex tanning unit has obtained Bangladesh’s first LWG Gold status with atraceability A rating^[3].Subsequently, Riff Leather, SAF Industries, Superex Leather, and ABC Leatherobtained LWG certification.

Whiledifferent Business to Business (B2B) and PPP projects are gradually makingprogress, Bangladesh needs to accelerate its efforts to achieve SDG6.3 and 6.4.The GoB acknowledges its responsibility in this initiative, but mobilizingprivate sector involvement and capital is also essential. Developingcommercially viable projects for private sector participation can be achallenging and time-consuming process without a clear, phased plan. Theprocess begins with identifying commercially viable project leads, which shouldbe based on realistic business cases. Once these viable project leads areidentified (hereafter referred to as phase one), it is possible todesign innovative water projects that are suitable for private sectorparticipation (hereafter referred to as phase two). The World Bank’s2030 Water Resources Group in Bangladesh recognise the need to first identify[4] bankable water projects (phase one) andsubsequently support the GoB in the implementation of projects (phase two).

FUNDING SOURCE

The World Bank Group intends to finance the assignment / services described below under the following:

• BB: Bank Budget
• BBEFO: null

ELIGIBILITY

Eligibility restrictions apply:

• [Please type list of restrictions]

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The World Bank Group invites eligible firms to indicate their interest in providing the services. Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc. for firms; CV and cover letter for individuals). Please note that the total size of all attachments should be less than 5MB. Firms may associate to enhance their qualifications unless otherwise stated in the solicitation documents. Where a group of firms associate to submit an EOI, they must indicate which is the lead firm. If shortlisted, the firm identified in the EOI as the lead firm will be invited to the request for proposal (RFP) phase.

Expressions of Interest should be submitted, in English, electronically through WBGeProcure RFx Now

NOTES

Following this invitation for EOI, a shortlist of qualified firms will be formally invited to submit proposals. Shortlisting and selection will be subject to the availability of funding.

Only those firms which have been shortlisted will be invited to participate in the RFP phase. No notification or debrief will be provided to firms which have not been shortlisted.

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