DHAKA: A Nordic trade delegation is staying on Dhaka now to know detail potentialities and possibilities of renewable energy usages to do business in Bangladesh.

The delegation held a discussion on running business through use of renewable energy – Green Business – at the Westin hotel at Gulshan in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday.

Discussants talked over the strategies to run green business and shared their experiences at the function where the Danish and Swedish embassies in Bangladesh jointly formed a Nordic trade delegation on green growth.

20 Danish companies, 1 Swedish company and an investment fund joined in the delegation with a goal to spread out sustainable business growth strategies and technologies among the businesspeople here in Bangladesh.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, addressing the function as the chief guest, said, “Bangladesh is becoming a middle income country by 2021, but security, fuel and global warnings pose challenge to the country.”

“The Nordic green growth delegation will be helpful to meet the challenge in power and energy sector and Bangladesh can turn into the center of renewable energy due to its geographical location,” he added.

Speaking at the function, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid Bipu said, “Bangladesh is not responsible for greenhouse effect but we are among the most affected countries.”

“The developed countries should take responsibility of the damages caused by greenhouse effect though we are not awaiting their compensations, we are working our level best despite our limitation of resources,” he added.

The junior mister called the Danish and Swedish governments to work on strengthening the business relation between Bangladesh and Nordic countries.

Nasrul said, “Our goal is to reach the use of renewable energy at 5 percent in 2015, the percentage will be increased at 10 percent by 2010.”

“We have already set up 28 lakhs solar power system but still we have to more to go,” he added.

Danish ambassador to Bangladesh Hanne Fugl Eskjær presented the keynote paper at the discussion. 

Hanne said, “There was a 6 percent plus growth in Bangladesh economy, the country has a possibility to go forward and Bangladesh is considered as one of the 11 emerging economic powers, which is really an unbelievable gain!”

Sweden ambassador to Dhaka Anneli Lindahl Kenny said, “To work with the private sector on climate issue is a big challenge and both the countries will get benefits from this initiative.

Denmark embassy’s commercial counsellor Anette Snedgaard Galskjøt presided over the function.

BDST: 1320 HRS MAY 20, 2014