DHAKA: A four-day International Plastic Fair-2019 kicked off on Thursday (Jan 17) at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in Dhaka city, aiming to present business opportunities for both exhibitors and trade visitors.
New Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun inaugurated the fair. Prime Minister’s adviser on private industry and investment Salman F Rahman attended the inaugural programme as special guest.
Addressing the programme as the chief guest, the minister said “Plastic is a flourishing industry of the economy of Bangladesh. Already, 5,030 small and large factories have been established in the country. For the development of the sector, we have placed the plastics industry at the top of the priority list in National Industrial Policy-2016”.
“Work to build a plastic industrial zone on 50 acres of land at Sirajdikhan upazila in Munshiganj is underway”, he added.
He further said this government does not do business, but it’s a business-friendly government. “We are working to resolve all types of problems that exist in the industries, including plastic” the Industries Minister added.
Lawmaker Salman F Rahman, addressing the businessmen, said “If you can set up backwards linkage industries, this industry will go to another level. However, we need the businessmen who will play role in plastic waste management through establishing recycling industry.
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufactures and Exporters Association (BPGMEA)'s President Jashim Uddin, said more than 460 exhibitors from Bangladesh and 18 countries and regions around the world, namely Australia, Austria, China, Egypt, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Pakistan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United States and Vietnam are taking part in the 14th edition of the fair.
“The production of plastics products and its marketing in the country is about Tk 25,000 crores. From this, the government gets revenues of Tk 3,500 crore. A total of 1.2 million people are now working in this sector,” he added.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, were, among others, present.
BDST: 1802 HRS, JAN 17, 2019
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