Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin on Thursday said the government is helping to export climate-friendly air conditioners under the Hydrochlorofluorocarbon Phase out Management Plan Stage-2 launched in Bangladesh to protect the ozone layer.
"The implementation of the Stage-2 project will open the door for export of air conditioners produced in Bangladesh. To this end, the government is providing special opportunities for manufacturers of refrigeration and air-conditioning products to pay taxes and VAT," he said.
The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion organized by the Department of Environment on the occasion of World Ozone Day 2021 with the theme 'Montreal Protocol- keeping us, our food and vaccines cool.'
Shahab Uddin said the government has taken initiative to promote refrigeration as one of the sectors after garment industry for the purpose of export development.
If the converted air conditioners are being energy efficient, he said, they will meet the domestic demand as well as increase export opportunities.
Noting that Bangladesh is one of the partners in the success of the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol adopted to protect the ozone layer, the minister said the role of the Montreal Protocol in making the refrigeration system up-to-date and environment-friendly in preserving food and vaccines against current corona is commendable.
Bangladesh has passed all the stages of implementation of the Montreal Protocol in a timely manner and is complying with the obligations of the Protocol, he added.
The minister hopes that the Kigali Amendment in 2016 will not only protect the ozone layer, but also the Montreal Protocol in tackling climate change. Shahab Uddin sought the cooperation of all concerned, including the UNDP, in implementing the remaining programs under the Montreal Protocol to protect the ozone layer. Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Habibun Nahar also addressed the discussion with Secretary of the ministry Md Mostafa Kamal in the chair.
Additional Secretary (Development) Ahmed Shamim Al Razi, Additional Secretary (Climate Change) Md Mizanul Hoque Chowdhury, Additional Secretary (Environment) Md Moniruzzaman, Director General of the Department of Environment Md Ashraf Uddin and UNDP Resident Representative Sudipta Mukherjee spoke at the discussion among others.
Director of the Ozone Depleting Substance Project Md Ziaul Haque presented the keynote paper at the discussion while representatives of various government and non-government organizations participated in the open discussion session.
Later, the minister presented the Innovation Award 2020, National Integrity Strategy Award 2020 and Environment Olympiad Award 2021 at the event.
