Social entrepreneur attends Europe-Bangladesh delegation

An environmental campaigner and social entrepreneur is visiting Bangladesh as part of a drive to promote trade between the South East Asian country and Europe.

Naseem Talukdar, of Projects Against Plastic (PAP) and recruitment firm Regency, will attend the Europe-Bangladesh Federation of Commerce and Industry (EBFCI) delegation.

Naseem, from Bristol, will be among health, education and agricultural ministers – and Bangladesh’s interim leader Dr Muhammad Yunus – at the non-governmental and not-for-profit event.

Naseem, who set up Regency to supply seasonal workers for UK horticulture from climate affected countries in South-East Asia, said: “I think trade and investment between the regions is beneficial all round. We will also look at sustainable business practices.”

A new era

The aim of the event is to ‘develop a new era of partnership across the UK, EU, and Bangladesh’ and strengthen commercial ties.

And over 20 professionals from a variety of industries, including research, business consultancy, food and beverage, travel and tourism, will make up the delegation.

The EBFCI fosters commerce, investment, and knowledge sharing and looks to identify challenges and opportunities.

Naseem, a second-generation Bangladeshi who helped launch a Plastic Free Ramadan campaign to reduce single-use plastic while breaking fast, favours collaboration.

He said: “Working together helps make agriculture sustainable in both the UK and Bangladesh.

“It helps to share knowledge, resources and labour. It helps that they harvest at different times of the year and have complementary needs.”

Sustainable business

The delegation will be led by the president of EBFCI, Dr Wali Tasar Uddin MBE. He said: “We are committed to promoting responsible business practices, environmental sustainability and social impact – ensuring that our efforts contribute to a more equitable future.”

The event, held in the capital city of Dhaka from September 28 to October 5, is set to identify trade barriers and challenges, as well as investment opportunities and incentives.

It will also look at infrastructure, growth potential and sustainable practices – and Naseem will highlight how seasonal work can support the latter.

The UK government has committed to making 43,000 visas available for the horticulture sector in 2025 – in response to labour shortages.

And the Bangladeshi government has introduced a Remittance Incentive Program – to encourage those working abroad to send money back using legitimate channels.

Naseem said: “Seasonal workers, who may face flash flooding, fewer crops and little income back home, can support the UK food supply as well as their home economy.”

Environmental initiatives

Naseem has launched a ‘One Tree per Student’ initiative under PAP, with the aim to plant one million trees in Bangladesh by next year – then to roll it out globally.

The former waste education officer is also looking at ways to tackle food waste in the country to create a circular economy and renewable energy.

One possibility is an anaerobic digestion plant in each city, which would breakdown organic materials into gas which can then be used to produce heat and electricity.

Muhammad Yunus, the new leader of Bangladesh’s interim government, will be in attendance.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, known as the “banker to the poorest of the poor”, has previously said he is optimistic of post-protest recovery from trade and business disruptions.

He was chosen to head the government after the nation’s long time prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled abroad in the face of violent unrest against her rule.