South Korean Ambassador to Bangladesh Park Young-sik said Bangladesh needs to pay more attention to encourage domestic production and reduce its reliance on import of reconditioned second-hand cars that will also help reduce pollution, reports UNB.
"Bangladesh should reduce its dependence on imported second-hand cars. Domestically made cars will also be good for the environment," he told reporters while visiting the Fair Technology-Hyundai factory at Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park on Saturday.
The envoy said many countries have already stopped importing old cars and Bangladesh can also adopt a similar policy.
Fair Group founder and chairman Ruhul Alam Al Mahbub, Director and CEO of Fair Technology Limited Mutassim Daiaan, Daily Sun Editor and President of Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) Rezaul Karim Lotus, DCAB General Secretary Emrul Kayesh, among others, were also present.
After visiting the plant, the ambassador said if Bangladesh expands its manufacturing base, it will help create quality jobs in the country.
He laid emphasis on further improvement of the investment environment with an improved taxation system to attract more investment in the country.
The ambassador also said the car manufacturing plant is a unique example of how Bangladesh is preparing for the next stage of development.
He said a lot of work is required by both the public and private sector together in the long journey ahead to help Bangladesh overcome the issues following its LDC graduation and achieve the goals of Smart Bangladesh as a developed country by 2041.
Fair Group chairman Al Mahbub said they need to create employment for the young talented people and laid emphasis on quality education with the presence of more vocational institutes in the country.
He acknowledged the support they are receiving from the government. "We do not want money, we want policy support from the government."
Mahbub said they are offering the most competitive price for the Hyundai cars manufactured in Bangladesh along with a five-year warranty. "We are expanding our service centers across the country," he added.
Mentioning that the Hyundai factory was inaugurated at the Bangabandhu Hi-Tech Park in January, DCAB President Lotus said the factory's inauguration was undoubtedly a decisive step towards implementing Bangladesh's vision of "Smart Bangladesh".
