“Currently, we have only 0.06 percent share in the global plastic market. We can take it upto 3 percent if we can get policy support from the government,” said Jashim Uddin, president of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA), while addressing the concluding function at Radisson Hotel in the city.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, who was the chief guest at the concluding session, assured the industry owners of providing all necessary support to boost the export of the sector.
He said plastic can be an alternative to wood and help reduce deforestation.
The BPGMEA organised the four-day IPF at the International Convention City, Bashundhara which began on Thursday. Companies from over 19 countries participated in the expo to showcase the local and international plastic products.
BPGMEA officials claimed that the annual expo attracted a huge number of visitors from home and abroad.
Responding to a demand of the manufacturers and exports, the Commerce Minister said his ministry will discuss the issue of providing cash incentives to plastic goods exporters.
He, however, urged the plastic goods manufacturers to make more efforts to use recycled plastics in their manufacturing process. "We need to recycle used plastic to avoid environmental hazards. It’s also necessary to start a process to collect plastic products," he said.
Tipu Munshi said CIP status will be given to plastic business leaders. “The government will allocate a fund of Tk 10 crore to set up an institute for education on the plastic industry.”
Over the last two decades, the plastic industry has become an important industrial sector in Bangladesh, said Jashim Uddin.
The growth of the plastic industry has a multiplying effect on numerous important sectors of the economy while the government has also given priority to this sector.
“IPF, the only and most professional exhibition, is now one of the biggest events among the South East Asian nations,” he said, adding that the expo helps increase plastic sector investment, market size and exports nationally and globally.
It also increases plastic use, the BPGMEA President said. “We hope in the near future, this sector will contribute much to the national exchequer through its outstanding performances.”