Contribution of the rubber industry to the national economy is increasing with a steady progress in the production of high quality rubber and rubber export, said speakers at an event on Wednesday.
Bangladesh Forest Research Institute is working on the expansion and development of rubber and rubber-based industries which will benefit the poor people by creating jobs for them, they added.
The speakers made the comments at the opening ceremony of the 1st Natural Rubber and Rubber Based Industrial Products Fair, 2022, organised by the Bangladesh Rubber Board at the gymnasium ground adjacent to the Chattogram MA Aziz Stadium.
Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin addressed the opening ceremony as the chief guest, with Bangladesh Rubber Board Chairman Syeda Sarwar Jahan in the chair.
Deputy Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry Habibun Nahar, Chairman of Bangladesh Forest Industry Development Corporation Md Shahidul Islam, Director of Bangladesh Forest Research Institute Dr Rafiqul Haider and FBCCI Director Syed Moazzem Hossain were present at the event as special guests.
Bangladesh Forestry Development Corporation has created 18 rubber plantations on about 40,000 acres of land. To involve the private sector, 33,000 acres of government land in Chittagong Hill Tracts have been leased for rubber cultivation, according to the environment ministry.
Speaking on the occasion, Environment Minister Shahab Uddin called upon the stakeholders related to rubber cultivation to work sincerely for the development of this sector.
The rubber board has signed deals to provide training to plantation owners, managers and tappers, as well as facilitate import of clones and joint investment with foreign countries, he said.
The minister urged the rubber entrepreneurs to use domestic natural rubber, instead of importing synthetic rubber, as it will increase the volume of carbon absorption and Bangladesh will be able to contribute to reducing global warming.
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