Online Desk  :  Experts on Friday underscored the need for specific policy support from the government as well as research and development to boost the local electric vehicle (EV) industry. They came up with the recommendations at a seminar titled “Electric Vehicle Industry of Bangladesh: Policy – Challenges – Prospects” organised by Savor International Limited at International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB) in the capital. Automobile industry leaders, engineering department professors and government officials spoke at the seminar, with a focus on making Bangladesh’s transportation sector sustainable, specifically regarding the adoption of electric vehicles and the promotion of environmentally friendly transport solutions.

Speaking there, Shish Haider Chowdhury, Secretary, Information and Communication Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology said the use of the EV is in different countries including EU, USA and China.  Around 80% vehicles are EV in Norway and Sweden while 25% is in China. “We have to keep pace with the world. We need a lot of research and building capacity as well as specific policy to grow the EV industry in Bangladesh. We also need more consultation with stakeholders to overcome challenges. We have to patronize the industry. Otherwise it may stumble,” he added. Haider also said that he will talk about the industry with government’s higher level including NBR and customs department to resolve the problems.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President of Bangladesh Automobiles Assemblers and Manufacturers Association (BAAMA) and Bangladesh Electric Mobility Association (BEMA) sought zero duty on imports of EVs and its parts for the next three years for the sake of the industry’s development. “There will not found any diesel or octane run vehicles in next 20 years. So, we should think about the matter and take proper policy now,” he added. Vice Chancellor of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology Professor Dr Md Ashraful Hoque emphasised on industry and academia collaboration.

Hafizur Rahman Khan, vice president of BAAMA; Sk Aminuddin, director of Akij Group and CEO of Akij Motors, Professor Dr Md Ehsan from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at BUET; Nasima Jahan B Binty, managing director of Blue Solutions Ltd; Amirul Islam Savor, chairman of Savor International Ltd; and Md Faizul Alam, managing director of Savor International Ltd, were present on the occassion.