Bangladesh launches eco-industrial park initiative to drive greener industrial future

Bangladesh has taken a significant step toward sustainable industrialisation with the official launch of the Eco-Industrial Parks (EIP) Light Touch Activities under the Global Eco-Industrial Parks Programme (GEIPP II).

The inception workshop, held yesterday (25 June) at Sheraton Hotel Dhaka, gathered senior officials, development partners, industry stakeholders, and experts to shape a cleaner, resource-efficient path for industrial growth, reads a press release.

The initiative is led by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Industries, and supported by the Government of Switzerland through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).

Bangladesh is one of five countries—alongside Cambodia, Moldova, Morocco, and Tanzania—chosen to pilot the "light touch" approach aimed at integrating circular economy principles into industrial zones.

The programme will assess policy gaps, strengthen institutional capacity, benchmark selected industrial parks, and promote eco-industrial practices across ten sites managed by BSCIC and BEPZA.

These activities are designed to reduce environmental impact, improve social performance, and enhance global competitiveness as Bangladesh prepares for its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.

Speaking as chief guest, Md Obaidur Rahman, secretary of the Ministry of Industries, said, "Eco-Industrial Parks stand at the intersection of our national aspirations—where economic growth meets environmental responsibility. As we prepare for LDC graduation and look ahead to 2041, the adoption of EIP principles will be key to enhancing competitiveness and achieving inclusive growth."

Special guests included BSCIC Chairman Md Saiful Islam and Bepza Member Md Ashraful Kabir, who highlighted ongoing green initiatives, including infrastructure upgrades, renewable energy integration, and wastewater management.

Representing Switzerland, Corinne Henchoz Pignani, deputy head of mission and head of cooperation at the Swiss Embassy, said, "Switzerland is proud to support Bangladesh in this pivotal transition toward greener industry. We aim to foster inclusive growth, promote innovation, and help unlock the potential of industrial zones to lead by example in climate action."

Professor AK Enamul Haque, director general of BIDS, delivered the keynote speech, framing eco-industrial development as a strategic economic advantage for Bangladesh.

UNIDO Bangladesh Country Representative Dr Zaki Uz Zaman noted, "This project is more than a pilot, it is a vision for how Bangladesh can industrialise without compromising its environment."

UNIDO's Dr Rana Pratap Singh and Chief Technical Adviser Salil Dutt also attended, reinforcing global technical support for the initiative.

The Light Touch Activities will inform a larger implementation phase, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and advancing Bangladesh's preparedness for ESG and responsible business standards in a post-LDC context.

The workshop concluded with a call for continued public-private collaboration to establish eco-industrial parks as a new national benchmark—paving the way for a smarter, greener industrial future in Bangladesh.