FE Report
Country's plastic goods manufacturers urged the government Saturday to accelerate implementation of the planned industrial park to help bring discipline the sector.
Currently, many small and medium plastic-processing factories remained scattered across the country, causing environmental pollution and accidental risks, they said.
They made the request at the concluding session of the 13th International Plastic Fair (IPF)-2018. The 4-day event was organised by Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the city.
If they cannot ensure compliance at the factories, it would be difficult to maintain the export earnings in future as the compliance issue has become very essential for the export-oriented sector, the session was told.
Mashiur Rahman, economic affairs adviser to the Prime Minister, was the chief guest at the programme while Kazi M. Aminul Islam, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), was the special guest.The association also put forward a seven-point demand like providing tax-holiday facility and exemption from Value Added Tax (VAT) on plastic toy items.
It also sought immediate execution of business promotion council, reduction of bank interest rate on their loans and low-cost fund to the small and medium plastic units etc.
BPGMEA president Jashim Uddin said the growth of plastic sector was increasing day by day. "So, gradually we have to go for compliance. Otherwise, it may create obstacle in the way of export earnings in the coming days," he said.
Many factories were set up haphazardly in different parts of the country and cannot develop their units properly, he said, stressing the need for bringing the units under a special industrial city as early as possible for product diversification and innovation.
Mr Jashim said that the authority has fixed 50 acres of land at Shirajdikhan in Munshiganj district to develop the industrial park, but enough progress has not been made to implement this project.
As the local consumption was also growing, the waste management system also has to be enhanced to avoid environmental hazards, he added.
He said that with hosting international plastic fair, local entrepreneurs were benefitting in many ways - especially, small and medium industries were getting more advantage to gather knowledge about new technologies and products.
Around 350,000 local and foreign visitors gathered at the fair this year, according to the organisers.
Technology, machinery, raw materials, colours, additives and other products were displayed in 680 stalls under a single roof by companies from 16 countries.
Last year, IPF attracted over 260 exhibitors from 11 countries and areas.
Currently, Bangladesh exports plastic products to different countries, including the USA, Canada, China, India, Nepal and the European Union.
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