At a press conference held today (18 June) at a conference room in Paltan Tower, Dhaka. Photo: TBS
“>
At a press conference held today (18 June) at a conference room in Paltan Tower, Dhaka. Photo: TBS
The Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) has demanded that the import duty on machinery, parts, and raw materials for export-oriented plastic industries be reduced to 1% in the proposed budget for FY26.
The association made the call during a press conference held today (18 June) at the BPGMEA Conference Room in Paltan Tower, Dhaka, where it placed 15 proposals related to the plastic industry.
Leaders of the organisation said that currently, members of textile sector associations such as the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) enjoy only 1% import duty on machinery, along with exemptions from VAT and other duties.
Currently, plastic exporters have to pay import duties ranging from 25% to 50% on machinery and parts.
BPGMEA argued that extending the same benefit to plastic manufacturers would help the sector become more self-reliant and globally competitive in exports.
BPGMEA President Shamim Ahmed presented the demands at the event, stating that the plastic industry is one of the country’s most promising sectors.
“To enhance skills and production capacity, increased use of machinery and modern technology is essential,” he said. “But due to complications with duties and VAT, many companies are discouraged from importing new machinery.”
He added that nearly all plastic manufacturing units have suffered over the past one and half years due to the ongoing energy crisis, with many forced to shut down.
