The Bangladesh Packaging & Accessories Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BPAMEA), in collaboration with the Asian Packaging Federation (APF), inaugurated a three-day international training program titled “Sustainable & Quality Packaging for Local & Global Markets” on Saturday, October 24, at Hotel The Raintree Dhaka in Banani. The program will continue until October 26, 2026.
Mr. Mohammad Hatem, President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), attended the inauguration ceremony as the Chief Guest.
The Special Guests included Dr. Shilpy Begum, Chairperson of the Department of Printing and Publication Studies at the University of Dhaka; Mr. Shafiullah Chowdhury, former President of APF and BPAMEA; Mr. Mozaharul Haque Shahid, Vice President (Finance) of BPAMEA; Mr. Monir Uddin Ahmed, Convener of the BIPA and Testing Lab, Seminar and Symposium Committee; Directors Mr. Kazi Ashraful Hoque Jewel and Mr. A.T.M. Kamruzzaman; and Mr. Hasanul Karim Tamiz, Chairman of the Fair Committee, along with other association leaders.
Mr. Md. Shahriar, President of BPAMEA, chaired the inauguration ceremony, and Mr. M. Masudur Rahman, Secretary of the association, conducted it. The training program aims to enhance the technical knowledge and professional skills of entrepreneurs, officers, and employees in the packaging and accessories sector, with particular emphasis on modern technologies and improving product quality. A total of 35 participants are attending the program, including five students from the Department of Printing and Publication Studies at the University of Dhaka and 30 representatives from BPAMEA member companies.
Professor Dr. Narayan Chandra Saha, Honorary Member and former Secretary of APF and former Director of the Indian Institute of Packaging, and Mr. Prasad Lasantha Kurukularachchi, Head of Engineering at Polypack Seko Ltd., Sri Lanka, an expert in plastic processing and manufacturing, are conducting the training. The sessions cover various categories of packaging, quality testing methods, corrugated fibreboard, plastic packaging and techniques for evaluating packaging quality.
In his welcome address, Mr. Monir Uddin Ahmed outlined the initiative’s background and objectives and expressed hope for the program’s successful completion.
Special Guest Mr. Shafiullah Chowdhury highlighted the global packaging industry’s market value of approximately US$1 trillion. He attributed Bangladesh’s relatively low packaging export performance to insufficient attention from relevant stakeholders and the lack of specialized institutions and formal academic programs dedicated to the sector.
Chief Guest Mr. Mohammad Hatem welcomed the organization of international-standard training in Bangladesh. Describing the packaging and accessories sector as a vital supporting industry for the garment sector, he stated that the sector generates approximately US$7.5 billion in indirect exports and US$1.6 billion in direct exports, making a significant contribution to the country’s export earnings. He commended BPAMEA, particularly its President and young leaders, for organizing the initiative and formally inaugurated the training program.
In his address, BPAMEA President Mr. Md. Shahriar thanked Mr. Monir Uddin Ahmed, Convener of the relevant committee, and the association’s Secretariat for their efforts in organizing the program. He also highlighted various initiatives undertaken to strengthen the association’s profile and advance the sector.
Referring to the sector’s export performance, Mr. Shahriar reiterated that indirect exports through back-to-back letters of credit amount to approximately US$7.5 billion, while direct exports total US$1.6 billion. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s packaging and accessories sector has achieved substantial self-sufficiency, a capability demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. He further stressed that packaging is essential for virtually every product, highlighting the sector’s importance across industries. He also noted that cordial relationships between business owners and workers have helped maintain industrial harmony, with no labor unrest reported in the sector to date.
Highlighting the participation of students from the University of Dhaka, Mr. Shahriar noted that the department offered concessionary training fees to students of the Department of Printing and Publication Studies. He emphasized that the packaging and accessories sector offers significant employment opportunities for department graduates. He concluded by wishing the three-day international training program overall success.