FBCCI urges JICA to facilitate Matarbari as petrochemical hub

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) urged the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to facilitate establishing a petrochemical industry in the Matarbari-Moheshkhali project area.

FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin came up with the call at a meeting with a delegation of JICA officials regarding the project at the FBCCI boardroom in Dhaka on Thursday, a press release said.

He also called for undertaking development projects in the sustainable energy sector.

The release said despite having huge demand brought by the local industry, Bangladesh lacks a petrochemical industry. Therefore, a petrochemical complex is a much-needed one to keep the country’s industrial development and economic growth going.

At the discussion, the FBCCI chief said Bangladesh’s geographical location and offshore economy showcase huge potential.

It requires further development in infrastructure, port and energy sectors to harness the opportunities, he said.

“Therefore, JICA, as a trusted development partner of Bangladesh, may devise projects in these regards,” Jashim added.

JICA Headquarters Deputy Director Asakawa Yuka hoped for the cooperation of the private sector of Bangladesh to make the Matarbari-Moheshkhali integrated development initiative successful.

FBCCI Director and Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) President Md Saiful Islam called for JICA’s cooperation in the FBCCI Innovation and Research Centre.

FBCCI Director Abul Kasem Khan hoped that JICA may conduct a feasibility study on the conversion of the eight-lane from the existing four-lane Dhaka-Chattogram Highway and logistic sectors development.

FBCCI Vice-President Md Habib Ullah Dawn and Director Ghulam Mohammed Alomgir called the Japanese companies for setting up a chip manufacturing industry for electronic devices.

Among others, Director Amzad Hussain spoke at the meeting.