Move to turn CEPZ green to attract investors, buyers

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From Munima Sultana
CHITTAGONG, July 12: Chittagong Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) is going to be green to make its export- oriented industries more attractive to investors and buyers thus making businesses sustainable through efficient use of energy and lowering its consumption.
Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) in cooperation with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), UK Department of International Development, European Union and Government of Korea has already been working on formulating a roadmap to turn all its 167 units into the areas of greenery.
"We have already started motivating the investors in the CEPZ to make their industries green which eventually will help them save money and increase productivity," said general manager SM Abdur Rashid.
Launching the initiative at BEPZA office in Chittagong Thursday, the GM said low carbon green zone will play a pioneer role as a model for other industries in zone areas.
BEPZA and IFC organised the launching ceremony where member (finance) of BEPZA AKM Mahbubur Rahman, Senior Investment Officer of Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund Han-koo Yeo, Adiba Mehnaz Ahmed and Chairman of Pacific Jeans Ltd Nasir Uddin spoke.
The BEPZA member said through the initiative, entrepreneurs in CEPZ would be able to reduce greenhouse gas emission and be a part of the global players working hard to save the planet from climate change impacts.
"Low carbon development means, acquiring efficiency in fossil fuel consumption. By promoting a low carbon green EPZ, we can reduce our operation cost, that is introduction of low carbon technology which will not only help face climate change but also promote business growth," he added.
The IFC senior investment officer said the pilot project in CEPZ is aimed at improving the firms to make business sustainable.
"green is green which means money," he said pointing to the fact that energy efficiency lowers energy price and green enhances brand image to international buyers," he added.
The Chairman of Pacific Jeans, a leading readymade garment industry in CEPZ, said making industry green is today's requirement to turn business sustainable as it helps improve productivity and lower investment in many cases.
"Being businessmen, we cannot think of only business, we have to think of saving energy, the society and our future generation and the planet," he added.
He claimed that in his unit, he has already turned several tiers of production including steam and sewing eco- friendly which helps him save Tk 4.7 million per month.
CEPZ, the first export processing zone of the country established in 1984, has 502 plots in its 453 acres land where 167 industries are in operation under both foreign and local leadership. With an investment of US $ 960.23 million, the zone earned $ 1.8 billion through exporting products mainly RMG.