Business Report :
If any decision taken by the government without consulting stakeholders puts the plastic industry at risk, then the traders will have no choice but to take to the streets, said businessmen on Monday.
President of Bangladesh Plastic Products Manufacturers and Exporters Association Samim Ahmed, who is also the coordinator of Plastic Foundation, read out a written statement during a press briefing at the Dhaka Reporters Unity in the capital. Abu Motaleb, the president of Bangladesh Plastic Packaging, Roll Manufacturers Owners and Trade Association, also spoke at the event.
On 20 June, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change announced the decision to phase out 17 single-use plastic products. In the first phase, the use of polythene bags has been banned in supershops by the interim government and drives against the use of polythene bags across the country will begin from 1 November.
Today’s press conference, organised by the Plastic Foundation, was held to express the plastic businesses’ protest against the move.
Plastic product producers claimed that none of the decisions taken to stop the use of polythene are being discussed with them. Instead, they are being imposed suddenly. They said traders will not suffer if the shift is done gradually over six months to one year by providing alternatives to polythene.
Abu Motaleb said that traders are already suffering due to repeated hikes in gas and electricity prices, increases in rent by building owners, extortion during the previous government’s tenure and contradictory government decisions.
If there is a new blow to the business, the government will get less tax, the industry will face new losses and foreign investment will decrease, he said and urged the interim government’s Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus to understand that the current situation is very critical.
If the situation demands, the traders will take to the streets, Motaleb added.
Traders said the ban on plastic shopping bags announced in 2002 has not been implemented in the last 22 years as it has not been possible to manufacture and supply affordable, good quality and easy-to-use alternatives. Samim Ahmed said that to save the environment, plastic waste recycling and reusing should increase and management should be improved.