ZCZC
BSS-42
TIPU-POLICY FRAMEWORK
Tipu for clear policy framework to regulate three-wheelers
DHAKA, March 13, 2019 (BSS) – Underscoring the need for having a clear
policy framework to regulate the three-wheelers, Commerce Minister Tipu
Munshi today said relevant rules should be devised in this regard at the
earliest.
The Commerce Minister said this while addressing a dialogue on ‘Prospects
and Policies of Electric Vehicles in Bangladesh’ jointly organized by JETRO
and BUILD at a city hotel, said a press release.
The Commerce Minister said that charging infrastructure for electric
vehicles is another aspect which needs to be developed. “As greenhouse gases
are spoiling our environment, I feel it is the right time to introduce the
policies,” he added.
Principal Coordinator on SDG Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office Md.
Abul Kalam Azad, Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Hiroyasu Isumi, DCCI President
Osama Taseer spoke, among others, at the dialogue.
Md. Abul Kalam Azad said that electric vehicles (EV) are the future of
transport as de-carbonizing transport is a must to achieve SDGs. He also said
that good policies are needed to harness the benefits of development of the
three wheelers.
The Chief Coordinator on SDG Affairs also emphasized on research and
development activities on battery manufacturing focusing on lithium-ion (LI)
battery, recycling of battery and attraction of FDI in manufacturing electric
vehicles in the country. “Private sector and donor organizations have come
forward. We need to develop our capacity to address the fourth industrial
revolution issues”, he added.
He suggested forming a small team to work with members from the Ministry of
Commerce, Power Division and BUILD. Japanese Ambassador to Dhaka Hiroyasu
Isumi put emphasis on SDG 11 related to Sustainable Cities and Communities
for which a sustainable transport system is an imperative.
He said battery-run three wheelers can be an alternative which has already
proven as a very useful means of transport in Bangladesh similar to
neighboring countries like India, Vietnam and China.
DCCI President Osama Taseer emphasized on the regulatory aspects of the EV
and in this respect referred activities of BUILD for unlocking constraints
for investment.
“Lower pollution and green economy is the target of the government,” he
said suggesting that subsidies to the electric vehicles consumers can be a
way to popularize the use of these vehicles in the country. Country
Representative of JETRO Dhaka Office Daisuke Arai welcomed all the guests in
the meeting and informed about the need for the policies to attract more
investment in this sector.
Former Chairman of BUILD Asif Ibrahim gave the introductory remarks about
the electric vehicles in Bangladesh and elaborated different aspects of the
study initiated by BUILD.
Tahmid Zami, Additional Research Director, BUILD presented the findings of
BUILD’s JETRO supported study on Battery Run Three Wheelers in Bangladesh
while Akihiro Ueda, Director of Asia EV Business and MD of Terra Motors India
presented the private sector perspectives on the existing scenario of the
BRTWs in the country.
Dr. Md. Ziaur Rahman Khan, Professor of Bangladesh University of
Engineering and Technology (BUET) highlighted on research and development in
the formalization of electric vehicles operation in Bangladesh.
In the open session, participants emphasized more on the policies so that a
large number of local investment and FDI can be attracted in that sector.
BSS/PR/GM/ARS/1944 hrs