Photo : Messenger
The government has been urged to promote sustainable production and consumption of plastics through product design and environmentally sound waste management.
"If we can ensure environmentally sound waste management, it will contribute to the economy. We need a systematic transformation to achieve the transition to a circular economy" said Dr. Jane Gilbert, Circular Economy Expert, and British Standards Institution (BSI) while making her keynote presentation at the seminar.
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) and the British Standards Institution (BSI) jointly organised a seminar on "CE to Enhance the Export
Possibilities of Plastic Goods" at the BPGMEA conference room in Paltan Tower in the city on Tuesday. The seminar aimed at addressing crucial issues and strategies for Bangladesh to export to the UK and Europe of plastic products.
With BPGMEA President Shamim Ahmed in the chair, the seminar was addressed by Md. Salim Ullah, Senior Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Industries, Rahman, Joint Secretary (EC4J), Ministry of Commerce, Anwar Hossain, Bengal Group of Industries, Salahuddin Shikder, PRAN-RFL Group, BPGMEA Director and Managing Director of BPCL Khadem Mahmood Yusuf, BSTI Director Ms. Zohra Sikder, Mustain Billah from EC4J, and S M Arafat from UNIDO.
Apart from this, experts in related fields, top leaders of various BPGMEA member organisations, and important members participated in this seminar.
Dr. Jane Gilbert said that it is necessary to promote a national action plan on the circular economy to achieve a sustainable development goal.
She emphasised on working towards the prevention, reduction and elimination of plastic pollution.
"We need a systemic transformation to achieve the transition to a circular economy", she said adding, the global economy is now only 7.2% circular; and it’s getting worse year on year-driven by rising material extraction and use.
She noted that the plastic industry shows promise with a huge growth potential in the domestic market and opportunity to grab a share in the global market.
Dr. Jane Gilbert also said that after LDC Graduation in 2026 Bangladesh will have to adopt international standards for goods & services to enhance export.
BPGMEA President Mr. Shamim Ahmed said that as the country develops, the use of plastic will increase. "To reduce the use of plastic we need to innovate and on the other hand we need to manage plastic properly".
He also said that investment and infrastructural development is required for waste management. He said currently 37 percent of mismanaged plastic is being recycled in Bangladesh. The recycling process will be strengthened further.
In expanding the circular economy, he emphasised on increasing competition, taking new market opportunities, expanding products, security of resource sources, and increasing reputation. The experts at the seminar gave valuable insights into the challenges facing Bangladesh and the steps needed to facilitate their exports.
These include economic development, trade policy, sustainable growth, and capacity building initiatives and exports.
Messenger/Disha
