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Nat’l taskforce can be formed for plastic sector development

PM’s principal secretary tells DCCI webinar


Published : 09 Apr 2022 09:20 PM

For a sustainable development of plastic sector after post-LDC era, speakers at a webinar on Saturday urged for easing duty structure on importing of plastic raw materials, modernization of respective policies, encouraging uses of bio-plastic, signing FTA or PTA with potential countries, increasing negotiation skills, protecting domestic market, product diversification.

They also recommended development of plastic waste management system, technological advancement, enhancing accredited world class testing lab facilities, innovative product designing, ensuring business friendly environment to attract FDI, central bonded warehouse facility, tax incentives for the same. 

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) organized the webinar titled “Sustainable export growth in post-LDC world: strategies for the plastic sector” 

Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus joined the webinar as the chief guest. 

Dhaka Chamber President Rizwan Rahman chaired the event. FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin joined as special guest.   

Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister said that the existing nexus between the public and private sector is very strong than ever that leads Bangladesh to a new height. 

In order to identify various prospects and challenges in the plastic sector, he suggested to form a national taskforce combining public and private sector participation. 

He also urged upon for a better plastic waste management solution. 

He said we should have our own certification agency and for establishing that he termed PPP model can be a best option. For certification now we are spending a lot of money. In a modern world, we cannot avoid using plastics rather we should go for 100% recycling to minimize pollution, he added.  President of Dhaka Chamber Rizwan Rahman in his opening remarks said that plastic sector witnessed a rapid commercialization and became an important export item of Bangladesh. Export of plastic goods contributes 0.33% to the GDP. 

Around 5,110 companies are operational in plastic sector and 98% of them are SMEs. To ensure sustainable industrial growth, a draft Plastic Policy was developed by the Government. Since many preferences will not exist in post-LDC era, FTA and RTAs can be signed with the potential countries.

Md. Jashim Uddin, President, FBCCI said that in the plastic sector there are many challenges but the entrepreneurs of this sector are very resilient to overcome these. But he said that we need world class accredited testing lab, proper policy support with intellectual property rights (IPR) policy and innovation in design and development. 

He also called upon to declare this plastic sector as a green industry. In order to facilitate 100% recycling he suggested for an extensive collection mechanism/system under the guidance of city corporations.

Shamim Ahmed, President, Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) presented the keynote paper. 

He highlighted that in FY2020-21 total export of plastic sector including direct and deemed was more than USD 1 billion. The domestic market size of this sector is of USD 3 billion. The sector itself creates 1.5 million employments. Plastic is the 8th largest export earning sector (including direct and deemed export) in Bangladesh which has been expanding 4.5% per annum. 

He termed access to finance, central bonded warehouse, skilled workforce, credible testing facility, diversity, plastic waste management are some of the major challenges of this sector.

Dr. Md. Shahidul Islam, Member (Customs), NBR emphasized on re-using single-used plastic items to reduce pollution and costing. 

He also stressed on more value addition, diversification, quality assurance of products and establishing our own innovative design houses.