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In the past one and a half years, the country's plastic sector has experienced significant setbacks due to a prolonged power and energy crisis, plastic goods manufacturers association has said at a conference.
Most industrial enterprises in the sector have suffered heavy losses, with many forced to shut down their operations, it said.
In response, the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) has submitted 15 revised proposals to the government, seeking tariff concessions on imported machinery in the upcoming 2025–26 fiscal year.
The proposals were formally presented by BPGMEA President Shamim Ahmed during a press conference held on Wednesday at the association’s conference room in Paltan Tower, Dhaka.
Among the key proposals, the most crucial demand is to reduce the tariff rate on imported machinery, spare parts, and raw materials for the export-oriented plastic industry to 1 per cent—aligned with the existing benefits provided to the textile industry.
Shamim Ahmed stated that the plastic industry has emerged as a promising export sector.
However, the sector continues to fall short of its potential due to limited production efficiency and inadequate access to modern technology.
Tariff and VAT complexities associated with machinery imports are discouraging many businesses from upgrading their equipment.
He further pointed out that the recent wave of business closures in the plastic sector has been primarily driven by the persistent power and energy crisis.
To help the industry recover and improve its global competitiveness, he urged the government to introduce a 1 per cent duty on imported machinery.
This initiative, he added, would not only help struggling enterprises bounce back but also enhance the country's overall export performance.