Form taskforce to explore plastic sector’s potential: Kaikaus

A taskforce should be formed to identify the challenges and explore the potential of the promising plastic sector along with maintaining the environmental standards, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus said today.

"I want to have a taskforce in the plastic sector involving the government officials, private sector people and business chambers like the FBCCI for realising the potential of the plastic sector."

He was speaking at a virtual discussion on the "Sustainable export growth in post LDC world: Strategies for the plastic sector", organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

Kaikaus also suggested for setting up a globally standard certification body for accreditation of the plastic goods as currently the local plastic goods exporters have to collect certification from labs in Singapore and other countries by spending a handsome amount of money.

If necessary the globally standard plastic testing and certification lab can be set up under public-private partnership (PPP) so that the country can export 10 times more plastic goods and grab more share of the global plastic goods market of $721 billion, Kaikaus also said.

The principal secretary also said the government has been paying incentives on export receipt of plastic goods and it would be better if the plastic raw materials are allowed duty-free import as paying cash incentive against the export earning is not always a good practice.

Regarding the government's preparations to face the post-LDC challenges, he said.

So far some high-powered committees have been formed under the Prime Minister's Office and they are chalking out the ways to face the challenges, he said.

In this regard, Kaikaus said the papers are ready and the government is also trying to sign the free trade agreements with some major trading partners so that Bangladesh's preferential trade regime continues even after the graduation.

"We are getting prepared. You do not need to be worried," Kaikaus said indicating the government's preparations to face the challenges in the post-LDC period.

Businessmen, government high-ups, plastic traders and exporters and business chamber leaders also took part in today's webinar.