Plastic goods manufacturers and exporters have urged the government to formulate a new packaging policy as the demands for packaging goods are increasing gradually.
“A Packaging Act is a must as the manufactures are facing problems due to not having specific policy for the sector, said Md Jashim Uddin, president of BPGMEA.
Since the demands are on the rise in line with upgradation of people’s living standard, it is high time concentration should be given to the issue, he said.
When the country will graduate into a middle-income status, the demands will go much further, said Jashim. The president of BPGMEA was talking to reporters at a media briefing about International Plastic Summit and a four-day 11th International Plastic Fair to be held on January 20, 2016 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BPGMEA) and Chan Chao International will jointly host the fair to attract international buyers as well as local consumers.
Plastic goods manufacturers will participate in the fair with 350 stalls and display their products like household items, packaging materials, moulds, toys, pharmaceutical items, furniture, melamine goods, apparel accessories and polypropylene (PP) woven bag.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed is expected to inaugurate the fair at BICC.
The summit is aimed at sharing the latest knowledge on how to address recycling of plastic waste and introduce latest technology to the industry to make it sustainable and environmentally friendly.
Currently, Bangladesh recycles 70% of waste in an unorganised way, Jashim said, adding that what needs to be done is become more equipped to recycle 100% of waste materials since the demand for plastic goods is on the rise.
The president of BPGMEA called for formulation of a developed plan and change to style of processing plastic goods.
“To address the issue and to be enriched with the latest know-how we are going to hold a plastic summit this year.”
In the summit there will be several seminars on different topics including “Problems and Prospects of Plastic Waste Recycling in Bangladesh”. The seminars will facilitate building awareness among people about recycling and its impact on environment.
“We need to be practical rather than being emotional. We want that both Jute and Plastics industry survive, which will ensure a win-win situation for all,” Jashim hoped.
Talking on the latest government decision on compulsory use of jute in packaging, he said jute and plastic are not competitors of each other and the government should not take any measure detrimental to the later.
Along with the BPGMEA president, other members of the organisaiton were present at the press conference.