The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has demanded that the government should facilitate the import of cheaper alternative recyclable materials which will reduce cost of doing business by 30pc.

The businessmen also urged the government to grant industry status to the plastic recycling sector, which is considered as a green industry across the globe, to reap maximum benefits from it.

Speaking to representatives of the Polymer Waste Importers and Recycling Association (PWIRA) at the FPCCI regional office, regional chairman Muhammad Nadeem Qureshi said the plastic recycling sector has significant importance in all countries. He assured the delegation of the FPCCI of full cooperation to get their problems solved.

Pakistan’s plastic recycling sector employed over one million people in its ecosystem, including more than 200,000 scavengers in the plastic collection phase and in sorting, recycling and upstream phases where finished goods are produced such as polyester clothing/textiles, flooring, automobiles, footwear, agricultural products, packaging and many more.

He said the recycling industry is considered a green industry across the globe and backed by their respective governments through incentives and benefits in the shape of rebates, green loans and tax incentives, etc. He said the plastic recycling and sustainability are directly related to a clean environment and this industry has great potential. The government should take steps to redress the problems as there is an opportunity for the export of value-added finished products and Pakistan should take advantage of it, he said.

The PWIRA delegation said the plastic recycling sector promised $1 billion substitution with recyclables, provided the government extended full support to the sector. They demanded that the government increase green substitution to enter the lucrative international export market.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk