Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh’s plastic, packaging and printing products sector have moved to invest in new technologies in a bid to boost both productivity and quality of their goods.
According to industry insiders, the focus on adopting new technologies will help the entrepreneurs enhance export potential after meeting local demand.
They said Bangladesh has a huge opportunity to grow the sector in both local and global markets through sustainable and innovative ventures.

The data suggests that per capita consumption of the products in Bangladesh is now around 12 kg compared to 130 kg in the USA, they said.
The industry expects to achieve a $5 billion export target by 2030 while the amount is $1.2 billion now.

The sector posts an annual growth of 20% and wants proper policy support from the government to maintain growth momentum.
The entrepreneurs demanded resolving the current challenges including the dollar price crisis, gas, electricity and tax hurdles.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau data, Bangladesh’s plastic goods export performance increased 16.44% YoY in July-December 2023. The country exported only plastic products worth $209.86 million in FY23.

Talking to the Daily Sun, Xclusive Can Ltd and Q Pail Ltd Managing Director Syed Md Nasir Uddin said he recently invested around Tk200 crore to set up a sustainable green factory, modern machines and technologies brought from different countries.
He said the company’s products are supplied to almost all multinational companies in Bangladesh including Berger, Asian, Nippon, Reckitt, Singer, Unilever, British American Tobacco, Ispahani, and others,” he also said.

He added that currently 1,400 people are directly working at the company. “We are trying to export as it has a big global market,” he emphasised.
Aman Plastic Industries Head of Marketing (export and retail) Md Alamgir Hossen said they have been exporting toys items since 2019.
“We have already exported our plastic toys items in India and Italy. We are also now trying to export in the Middle East countries. Our sector has a big opportunity to export as the demand is gradually increasing,” he added.

Alamgir Hossen said that they have big investments in four factories in the toys sector where around 2,000 people work.  
While talking to the Daily Sun, he said, “We need an uninterrupted supply of gas and electricity, and reduction of high tax pressure to grow the industry and compete globally.”
Innovation is the key focus

To increase production and quality, the entrepreneurs have focused on innovation and sustainability. They also emphasise recycling to protect the environment.
“Now, plastic products have become a part of our lives. These products are used in all sectors like garments, pharmaceuticals, and agro processing,” said former president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Md Jashim Uddin.

He stressed, “We have to adopt new technologies to increase productivity and quality to fight in the global market.”
Former FBCCI boss, also a plastic industry owner, said that the market is growing both domestically and internationally. “It was a small sector in Bangladesh, now there is an investment of Tk40,000 crore. The sector exports $1.2 billion per annum where 1.5 million people are directly engaged.”

Md Jashim Uddin, owner of Bengal Group, said, “Per capita consumption of the products in Bangladesh is now around 12 kg which is 130 kg in the USA.”
He expects that the per capita consumption will increase to 30 kg by 2030 in Bangladesh. “So, the market will have to grow immensely.”
He said, “Bengal Group has set up a green factory which has already got international recognition.”
“We can’t sell our products in the global market if our factories aren’t. Plastic products can be 100 percent recycled through new technologies. So, we all have to focus on this issue,” Md Jashim Uddin also said.    

Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) President Shamim Ahmed said 60-70% plastic materials are used in the automobile industry.
“Besides, almost all sectors including garment, pharmaceuticals and others have a demand for plastic goods,” he said while speaking at the closing ceremony at the 16th Bangladesh International Plastics, Printing and Packaging Industry Fair in Dhaka.
“There is a huge investment potential in the sector. Now, we need policy support from the government. We hope that the government will prioritise it in the next national budget,” he said.
BPGMEA president mentioned that Bangladesh currently exports only 1% of the global plastic market. “But the country has a huge opportunity to increase its share in the global market.”