Green industries for sustainable development, FDI stressed
Foreign buyers favour such industries, speakers said
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Speakers at an event on Friday highlighted the critical need for green industrialisation in Bangladesh to ensure sustainable development and attract foreign direct investment (FDI).
They noted that foreign buyers favour green industries, and international investors seek opportunities in sectors with a robust green industrial environment.
Besides, they said Bangladesh faces significant policy gaps in promoting green growth, emphasising its potential to drive economic transformation, create employment, and improve resource efficiency across the nation.
The programme titled "More and Better Jobs for a Prosperous Bangladesh: Opportunities through Green Growth" was held at a city hotel. It was organised by Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB) and supported by the International Growth Centre (IGC), an economic research centre at the London School of Economics.
Dr M Masrur Reaz, chairman of PEB, delivered the keynote address, outlining pathways to green growth and its ability to spur job creation while fostering sustainable economic practices.
Md Abdur Rahim Khan, additional secretary (export) at the Ministry of Commerce and the guest of honour, underscored the need to align green growth initiatives with Bangladesh's broader development goals. He identified the key obstacles to this transition, such as inadequate access to advanced technologies and limited financing options.
A distinguished panel of experts shared insights on implementing green growth strategies, including Dr Atonu Rabbani, professor of economics at the University of Dhaka; Naureen Chowdhury, head of labour rights programme at Laudes Foundation; Prof AK Enamul Haque, environmental economist and deputy vice-chancellor, UCSI University Bangladesh; and Md Ariful Hoque, director general (joint secretary) of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
The discussion was moderated by Shahid Vaziralli, head of research programmes at IGC. Refayetullah Mridha, president of the Economic Reporters' Forum, and Ferdaus Ara, CEO of Business Initiative Leading Development, also joined the function.