Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal has assured plastic manufacturers of providing necessary funds for establish a training institute to create skilled workforce for the sector.
The minister came up with the assurance yesterday at the closing ceremony of an International Plastic Summit-2016 and a four-day 11th International Plastic Fair held from January 20, 2016 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
Leaders of the plastic industry demanded financial support to accomplish the project for a training institute, which is now under construction with a fund of Tk10 crore allocated by the government.
They also urged the government to provide 20% cash incentive for the sector to remain competitive in the global markets.
The training institute aims at creating skilled workforce for the sector as the sector is entering into an automation process, which needs more technical and efficient workers.
“I will provide all the funds needed for the training institute, if you can implement the project by December,” said Kamal in response to the demand raised by the sector people.
The sector will get incentives for the export but you have to set a plan to earn US$1bn by exporting plastic goods, he added.
Kamal said: “As we cannot enter into the EU and the US market due to the lack of technology, the manufacturers have to concentrate on higher end products and products diversification. If we cannot do so, it will be difficult to expand business and to survive.”
Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) President Jashim Uddin urged the government to formulate a new packaging policy as the demands for packaging goods are increasing gradually in the country and also in export earnings.
Jashim also urged the government to implement the industrial park for the plastic sector as it will help to ensure compliant factory and to make them environmental friendly.
BPGMEA and Chan Chao International jointly hosted a four-day exhibition of plastic goods to attract international buyers as well as local consumers.
Plastic goods manufacturers from 20 countries participated 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.
The summits was 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.
