Dhaka, Feb 11 (V7N) – The Bangladesh government is set to introduce a tax on the use of groundwater by factories, aiming to promote sustainable industrial practices, announced Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan. She made this statement while speaking at the sixth edition of the Sustainable Apparel Forum held at a hotel in the capital on Tuesday morning.

Rizwana Hasan emphasized that, until now, industries have not been required to pay for groundwater usage, which has contributed to unsustainable extraction practices. “The Ministry of Water Resources is actively working on formulating a policy to regulate and tax groundwater use in the industrial sector,” she stated. This move is expected to encourage industries to adopt water-efficient technologies and consider alternative water sources, thus easing the strain on the country's diminishing groundwater reserves.

Highlighting the importance of sustainability in the garment sector, Rizwana Hasan also stressed the need to increase workers' wages to foster an environmentally and socially sustainable industry. “Ensuring fair wages is a critical part of creating a sustainable environment in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector,” she said.

The forum saw participation from a Netherlands delegation consisting of representatives from 18 businesses, reflecting the growing international interest in Bangladesh's commitment to sustainable development.

Dutch Ambassador Andre Carstens praised Bangladesh's progress in the global RMG market. “Bangladesh has established itself as a key player in the global ready-made garment market. With investments in green factories and sustainable practices, the country's garment and textile industry is steadily moving towards environmentally friendly development,” he remarked.

The introduction of a groundwater usage tax is expected to be a significant step toward greener industrial practices in Bangladesh. Combined with fair labor practices and international collaboration, these measures aim to secure the country's position as a leader in sustainable manufacturing while safeguarding its natural resources for future generations.

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