Initiatives are being taken to make the Department of Environment more efficient and modern, said Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources. She announced that all services will be digitalized and made online-based, with enhanced coordination with other government agencies.
“Many perceive environmental clearances as mere formalities, but that will no longer be the case. These clearances will only be issued after thorough verification and scrutiny,” she added.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan made these remarks while addressing the soft launch of the Bangladesh Single Window (BSW): Journey Towards Seamless Trade, held today at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka.
She emphasized the need to integrate environmental standards into the trade facilitation process and called for robust mechanisms within the BSW to monitor and mitigate environmental impacts, particularly in import-export activities that could affect sensitive ecosystems.
The event was graced by Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, Adviser to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology, as the Chief Guest. Md. Abdur Rahman Khan FCMA, Secretary of the Internal Resources Division and Chairman of the National Board of Revenue, chaired the program.
Special guests included Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser; Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority; Nazma Moberek, Secretary of the Financial Institutions Division; Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change; and Md. Shahrier Kader Siddiky, Secretary of the Economic Relations Division.
The event marked a significant step towards streamlining trade while ensuring environmental accountability.