Experience Sharing Program

On

How SMEs can be more Environment Friendly

Held on 09 November 2004 at DCCI–SEDF Knowledge Center

An Experience Sharing Program on “How SMEs can be more Environment Friendly” organized by DCCI-SEDF Knowledge Center, in cooperation with DCCI Business Institute (DBI) was held on 09 November 2004 at  11^th  Floor, Dhaka Chamber Building, 65/66 Motijheel C/A, Dhaka – 1000.

Mr. Omar Faruque, Director, DCCI, Co-ordinating Director, Environment & Pollution Standing Committee and Women Entrepreneurship Standing Committee was present as Chief Guest. Mr. Md. Hossain Ali, Economic Consultant, DCCI & Executive Director, DBI, Ms. Ferdous Ara Begum, Add Secretary (R&P), DCCI, Ms. Afifa Raihana, Consultant, SEDF, Mr. Md. Sajid Anwar, Knowledge Center Associate, DCCI-SEDF Knowledge Center were also present at the program.

Businesses both service and industrial sectors are growing rapidly in Bangladesh. Lack of planning and environmental considerations in day to day business operations pose a threat to the entire well being of a society. Not only hazardous waste disposal, but lack of environmental considerations has detrimental effects on our land and water resources, the air we breathe the food and fish intake, on everything. Thus this is the right time to start thinking how businesses can be green and at the same time increase profit.

The main objective of the program is to share experiences about how to make profit and at the same time be environmentally friendly, stimulate interest among SMEs regarding environment, chalking out their requirements on this issue and discussing what can be provided by Knowledge Center including the mode of operation.

In his speech Mr. Omar Faruque, Director DCCI mentioned that - SMEs are in need of need-based business information, maintenance of quality related issues, knowledge on environment etc. and Knowledge Center is no doubt facilitating DCCI’s positive approach in solving these issues for the SMEs. “I am a corporate member of Knowledge Center and I have been assisted a lot from the Center during last few months in terms of starting my new project, searching potential projects, market information etc.” – he added.  

Ms Afifa Raihana, Consultant, SEDF had a very much pragmatic presentation on the Necessity for the SMEs for remaining Environment Friendly. Her presentation was followed by a videoshow on Environment Consciousness. The title of the video was – Women & Environment.

An experience sharing session was conducted then. Participants shared their experiences, thoughts, views on that session. This session was really interactive. Useful and constructive feedbacks / comments have been generated on issues relevant to environment and SME development, increasing profits remaining environment friendly, proposed Environment Management Cell at DCCI, the drawbacks of doing businesses here in Bangladesh, etc.

The program was concluded with a remark from Ms. Ferdous Ara Begum, Add. Secretary, DCCI. She pointed out - There is a positive link between free trade and economic growth which can lead to reduced poverty and higher standards of living, including better environment. Taking into consideration that environmental effects may not everywhere be a primary concern, particularly in a country like Bangladesh, where financial resources are scare, the need to choose the sectors and subsectors in which environmental effects can be assumed is most significant. The SME sector that provides 87 % of the total industrial employment and contributes about 90% of the total export earning. Hence, it is the right time to start thinking how businesses can be environmentally friendly.

The programme was coordinated by Mr. Md. Sajid Anwar, Knowledge Center Associate, DCCI-SEDF Knowledge Center.