Abu Sazzad :
The establishment of separate plastic industrial park would increase the both production and export, said Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) President Md. Jasim Uddin.
President of BPGMEA congratulated the ECNEC Committee for approving the project of plastic industrial park for the further advancement of the sector. In a press statement on Tuesday, BPGMEA President appreciated the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ECNEC Committee for approving the project.
The stakeholders of the plastic sector several times urged the government to set up a separate industrial park for further development of the sector, said the BPGMEA President.
“If the project implemented, it would help stakeholders to maintain the compliance issues in the plastic industry”, said Jasim Uddin.
The maximum numbers of plastic industries are located in old town and the working environment is not safe, he said, adding that the relocation of the factory will facilitate the plastic sector to increase the production as well as the export.
Earlier, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved seven projects worth Tk 2,037 crore. The ECNEC meeting, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, was held in the NEC Conference Room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in city.
The projects include Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) plastic industrial park and drinking water supply to the villages.
Planning Commission sources said that following the BSCIC plastic industrial park project, the plastic factories will be shifted from Dhaka to Munshiganj. This project will be implemented from July 2016 to June 2018, the sources added.
Plastic products are among the few products outside textiles, apparels, leather and jute goods, which have contributed to export diversification though at a limited scale.
According to BPGMEA, its contribution to GDP has increased over time from 0.36 per cent in 2004 to 1.2 percent in 2008. Nearly about 300 units are currently involved in the export market. About 65 per cent units are located in Dhaka and nearby areas, 20 percent in Chittagong, 10 per cent in Narayangonj and the rest five per cent are in Khulna, Comilla, Bogra and Rajshahi Districts.
At present, a total of 23 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and the pacific and the Middle East are the major export destination of plastic products.
Absence of equipment and machinery in manufacturing facilities, partly mold-making units puts Bangladesh at a disadvantage situation. One of the major challenges so far Bangladesh has been facing is the lack of testing laboratory. Bangladesh does not have any testing laboratory to test quality and strength of plastic goods. A plastic testing laboratory and testing centre is urgently needed.
Skilled workers for operating machines are required for manufacturing well-finished products. Lack of proper knowledge on polymer science is hindrance to developing skilled professionals in the plastic industry. Local educational institutes have limited capacity to teach and train potential professionals about polymer science and technology.
The industry suffers due to shortages of electricity and gas supply and lack of access to capital. Shipment from Bangladesh is relatively high due to high freight cost.
The plastic sector is partly affected due to withdrawal of the GSP in the US market owing to non-compliance of the garments and shrimp sectors.
Experts opined that local and foreign investment is essential for further development of the sector.
The establishment of separate plastic industrial park would increase the both production and export, said Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) President Md. Jasim Uddin.
President of BPGMEA congratulated the ECNEC Committee for approving the project of plastic industrial park for the further advancement of the sector. In a press statement on Tuesday, BPGMEA President appreciated the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ECNEC Committee for approving the project.
The stakeholders of the plastic sector several times urged the government to set up a separate industrial park for further development of the sector, said the BPGMEA President.
“If the project implemented, it would help stakeholders to maintain the compliance issues in the plastic industry”, said Jasim Uddin.
The maximum numbers of plastic industries are located in old town and the working environment is not safe, he said, adding that the relocation of the factory will facilitate the plastic sector to increase the production as well as the export.
Earlier, the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday approved seven projects worth Tk 2,037 crore. The ECNEC meeting, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, was held in the NEC Conference Room at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in city.
The projects include Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) plastic industrial park and drinking water supply to the villages.
Planning Commission sources said that following the BSCIC plastic industrial park project, the plastic factories will be shifted from Dhaka to Munshiganj. This project will be implemented from July 2016 to June 2018, the sources added.
Plastic products are among the few products outside textiles, apparels, leather and jute goods, which have contributed to export diversification though at a limited scale.
According to BPGMEA, its contribution to GDP has increased over time from 0.36 per cent in 2004 to 1.2 percent in 2008. Nearly about 300 units are currently involved in the export market. About 65 per cent units are located in Dhaka and nearby areas, 20 percent in Chittagong, 10 per cent in Narayangonj and the rest five per cent are in Khulna, Comilla, Bogra and Rajshahi Districts.
At present, a total of 23 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and the pacific and the Middle East are the major export destination of plastic products.
Absence of equipment and machinery in manufacturing facilities, partly mold-making units puts Bangladesh at a disadvantage situation. One of the major challenges so far Bangladesh has been facing is the lack of testing laboratory. Bangladesh does not have any testing laboratory to test quality and strength of plastic goods. A plastic testing laboratory and testing centre is urgently needed.
Skilled workers for operating machines are required for manufacturing well-finished products. Lack of proper knowledge on polymer science is hindrance to developing skilled professionals in the plastic industry. Local educational institutes have limited capacity to teach and train potential professionals about polymer science and technology.
The industry suffers due to shortages of electricity and gas supply and lack of access to capital. Shipment from Bangladesh is relatively high due to high freight cost.
The plastic sector is partly affected due to withdrawal of the GSP in the US market owing to non-compliance of the garments and shrimp sectors.
Experts opined that local and foreign investment is essential for further development of the sector.
