Written by The Banking Post
The plastic industry has called for proper management of plastic waste instead of imposing a ban, saying the material has become essential to modern life despite its environmental impact.
At a focus group discussion in Dhaka on Wednesday, organised by the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA), industry leaders and officials highlighted the sector’s contribution to the economy, while pointing to regulatory and tax challenges.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman assured the industry of government support, promising to address existing barriers for sustainable growth.
Speakers stressed that banning plastic was not realistic. “As we cannot avoid it, we have to manage it. Being the 12th exporter of plastic goods in the world, Bangladesh has more to do in the sector,” said SME Foundation Chairman Md Musfiqur Rahman, who also urged skill development to boost productivity.
A keynote by PWC Bangladesh revealed that over 6,000 plastic manufacturing units operate in the country, with 450 geared toward exports. The sector employs 1.5 million people, meeting more than 80% of local demand worth nearly $3 billion, and produces 2,500 types of products ranging from packaging and textiles to automotive components.
Industry representatives complained of “harassment” in the name of environmental compliance, noting that imported goods in plastic packaging face fewer hurdles than local producers.
World Bank official Hosna Ferdous Sumi called for addressing financing and skills gaps, while BIDA’s Houmyoun Kabir Khan stressed raising public awareness and adopting the 3R approach—reduce, reuse, recycle.
The session was chaired by BPGMEA President Shamim Ahmed, with 34 companies participating in the dialogue.
