For sustainable growth, the government needs to invest more in building the capacity and awareness of government agencies, experts at a seminar said on Sunday.
The said that unplanned consumption of natural resources is increasing worldwide along with economic development. Which results in Climate change and global warming. Therefore, conservation of Climate and biodiversity, prevention of waste and environmental pollution have become major challenges for the next generation. The seminar titled "Current Scenario of Circular Economy: Problems and Prospects" was organized by FBCCI.
Industry Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun attended the seminar as chief guest. while Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Md. Shahab Uddin Ahmed attended as special guest.
While addressing, Minister said a separate cell would be set up in the ministry to work on the circular economy. The cell will work closely with government and non-government departments and organizations. Recycling plays a pivotal role for the development of the circular economy.
The Minister mentioned that the size of the informal recycling is huge, giving them the status of industry would further facilitate the shift to a circular economy.
Speaking as the special guest, Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Md. Shahab Uddin Ahmed said that at present 40 per cent plastic is being recycled. The remaining 60 percent will have to be brought under it. Therefore, the Ministry of Environment has taken initiative to prepare a working paper on plastic management.
FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin, speaking at the seminar, held at the FBCCI office, said no one in the world now considers waste unnecessary. Waste of one industry is being considered as resources for another industry. Bangladesh aims to achieve SDG by 2030, become an upper middle-income country by 2031 and a developed country by 2041. And that is why the development of a circular economy is very important. The country has opportunities to include construction industry, textile, motor vehicle, logistics, agriculture, furniture, oil and gas, renewable energy sectors in the circular economy, he added.
Dr. Mohammad Sujauddin, Assistant Professor of North South University presented the keynote at the seminar. He said that at the rate at which different resources are being utilized, many of them would be depleted in a few years.
However, it is possible to prevent this catastrophe if reuse is ensured. The keynote identifies huge potential for a circular economy in Bangladesh. During the panel discussion, Eun Joo Allison Yi, Senior Environmental Specialist of the World Bank, said that the growth of Bangladesh in the last 10 years is incredible.
Mohammad Mosharraf Hossain, PhD, Professor of Chittagong University, Prof. Dr. Mizan R. Khan, Deputy Director, International Centre for Climate Change and Development, Independent University and FBCCI panel advisor and East West University Professor Dr. A K Enamul Haque also participated in the panel discussion.
