Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on Thursday suggested ship-breakers to follow Hong Kong convention for making the country's shipbreaking industry world class.
The minister made the call while speaking at a meeting with members of Bangladesh Shipbreaking and Recyclers Association (BSBRA) at his Secretariat office, reports UNB.
Nurul Majid said the government is aware about the contribution of ship breaking and recycling industry to the national economy. "So, it has been included in the government's manifesto. A new possibility has been created for the entrepreneurs of Bangladesh as industry giant China has moved away from this sector."
Speaking on possibility and development of the sector, the minister said, "The industry is gradually becoming environment friendly as various initiatives have been taken by the ministry."
BSBRA leaders demanded a "one stop service" to flourish the industry faster.
They also said the industry will expand further if they get an integrated service instead of an isolated one from different ministries.
The members also urged the government to form a separate board as well as to finalse the rules and regulations for the industry.
Later, the delegation called on State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumdar at his office. The state minister said that the government has already declared the ship breaking and recycling sector as an industry.
"The process of government services will be made easier for the development of the industry. We will provide all sort of assistance to you but no corruption will be tolerated," he also said.
However, as per Section 20 of the Environment Conservation Act 1995 and Rule 18 of the Ship Breaking and Hazardous Management Rules 2011, each importer and exporter of hazardous wastes is bound to comply with the provisions of the Basel Convention 1989.
Although, Basel does not contain a system for ship recycling but this provision has been discussed in Hong Kong Convention 2009. Bangladesh is not a party to this convention but still it is the third largest ship recycling country.
Bangladesh adopted the Ship Breaking and Recycling Rules 2011, which discussed about ship recycling in 2011.
