Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin on Wednesday emphasised the importance of plastic products in further diversifying Bangladesh’s exportable items.

Speaking as chief guest at the opening of the 17th International Plastic, Packaging, and Printing Industrial Fair at Bashundhara International Convention City in Dhaka, he stressed the need for policies that promote sustainable plastic use, advocating for the production and responsible use of high-quality plastics.

The adviser said that the plastic products could play an important role in tapping the potentials for diversifying further the country’s exportable items.

Bashir said, ‘We need to set our policies in light of reality. In return, we will prevent bad plastic and live with good plastic. We must responsibly strive to increase the production and use of good plastics.’

He said that Bangladesh was going to graduate from the least developed countries in November 2026. As a result, the preferential access that the country enjoys in terms of exports would not be there, said a commerce ministry press release.

The government will also not be able to provide any incentives, the commerce adviser said, adding, ‘In this case, the country needs to increase its competitive edge to overcome the situation.’

‘We have to be competitive in productivity and production costs of commodities. If we don’t have the capacity, we’ll fall into great danger,’ he said.

Commerce ministry additional secretary Md Abdur Rahim Khan, SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Md Jashim Uddin, Overseas Director of Yorkers Trade and Marketing Service Company Limited Akay Lin and BPGMEA President Samim Ahmed spoke at the event.

The IPF features over 800 stalls representing more than 390 brands from 18 countries, including China, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Vietnam, the UAE, Turkey, the UK and others.

The fair showcases a wide range of products and technologies and will be open to visitors daily from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.