The country's plastic goods manufacturers have expressed serious concern over the decision to increase gas price, saying it will affect the industrial sector as well as the plastic industry.
They also observed that the decision is actually a conspiracy to destroy the local industries which are already suffering from multifarious problems.
Leaders of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BPGMEA) made the observation at a press conference on 'Gas crisis and single use plastics' held at its office in the city's Purana Paltan area on Sunday.
BPGMEA president Shamim Ahmed, its senior vice president KM Iqbal Hossain and vice president Quazi Anwarul Haque, former presidents ASM Kamal Uddin and Ferdous Wahed were present on the occasion, among others.
Highlighting the existing business climate in the country, Shamim Ahmed said the ongoing move to raise value added tax (VAT) on 43 kinds of products and services will push the country's people into peril.
"This will reduce people's purchasing capacity. Trade and commerce will face crisis afresh," he said.
Referring to the move to raise gas price, he said the matter of concern is that Bangladesh's domestic gas production has been gradually decreasing.
"On the other hand, it will not be possible to increase import of LNG (liquefied natural gas) unless new terminals are set up," he said, adding there is no chance to launch new terminals in the next two weeks.
"We think newly-proposed gas price will be very mush challenging for the local industries," he said.
The BPGMEA presented a five-point recommendation regarding gas and LNG in tune with the plastic sector.
It suggested expediting drilling of local gas wells, importing piped-gas from neighbouring Myanmar, and revoking taxes on imported LNG.
The plastic goods makers also urged the government not to increase gas price from existing Tk30 per unit and take practical measures following discussion with the relevant stakeholders.
The trade body leaders also expressed concern over the ban on single-use plastic (SUP) goods for the sake of environment.
They said they are also sensible to environment conservation, and imposing ban will not be a solution.
Regarding SUP, the BPGMEA placed a four-point recommendation, including measures for plastic recycling and assessing economic impact in participation with stakeholders.
It also urged the government to follow UNEA resolution to phase out SUP by 2030.
Energy expert and BPGMEA Adviser Dr Ijaz Hossain said condition of the plastic sector in the country reveals its failure to conduct proper waste management.
"If there was proper waste management, we would not need to discuss this," he said, adding all developed countries use plastic.
Proper management is the key solution instead of banning it, he said, adding that such ban measures do not work and the problem persists.
Regarding gas crisis, ASM Kamal Uddin said a good number of industrial units in the country have been shut down mainly due to the energy crisis as gas price increased manifold in recent years.
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