Besides, it would take measures to introduce permanent bank guarantee system instead of consignment basis for import of basic raw materials of plastic goods.

Finance and Planning Minister M Saifur Rahman said this while a delegation of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA), led by its president Mohammad Jasim Uddin, called on him at his secretariat office yesterday.

The members of BPGMEA delegation apprised the finance minister of various problems, which they said impeding the growth of plastic items.

They said BPGMEA directly exported plastic goods worth Tk 100 crore last year.

They also sought financial backing from the government in modernising the plastic industries.

The BPGMEA leaders said if the machinery are replaced with locally produced ones would save a huge foreign exchange and boost export of plastic goods significantly.

The minister emphasised ensuring quality of plastic products for both domestic and global markets.

Saifur Rahman also underscored the need for proper recycling of plastic goods in the country to protect environment and reap full economic benefit from them.

The BPGMEA also sought cooperation of local government bodies in collecting the used plastic products.

They said the European Union (EU) has already assured BPGMEA of extending financial support to them to develop recycling process of the plastic goods.