Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) has planted 200,000 saplings across its economic zones as part of its environmental and sustainable industrialisation initiatives, while the Korea-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KBCCI) organised a separate tree-planting programme at Cumilla Economic Zone on 1 October.
The programme at Sonachar in Meghna upazila of Cumilla was inaugurated by Kim Ji-joon, ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Bangladesh, and KBCCI President Shahab Uddin Khan. The event was led by KBCCI adviser and MGI Chairman and Managing Director Mostafa Kamal, MGI said in a press release. The location and participants are also consistent with reports of the event published on 1 October.
MGI said the planting of 200,000 saplings across its economic zones formed part of its commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainable industrialisation.
Guests travelled from Dhaka in a convoy to Cumilla Economic Zone, where they were received by Mostafa Kamal.
“We are honoured to host our Korean friends and the members of KBCCI,” Kamal said.
He said the greening initiative would play an important role in supporting the government’s nationwide tree-planting programme and that MGI would continue such efforts as part of its social responsibility towards the environment, the country and its people.
The government launched a nationwide tree-planting initiative at government primary schools in July, under which nearly 200,000 saplings were to be planted across the country.
Guests planted saplings at designated sites inside Cumilla Economic Zone, an initiative the organisers said reflected KBCCI’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable industrial growth.
“Every sapling planted here is a promise to future generations,” Kim said.
KBCCI President Shahab Uddin Khan said the programme demonstrated that “economic progress and environmental protection must go hand in hand”.
MGI operates three other economic zones alongside Cumilla Economic Zone: Meghna Economic Zone, Meghna Industrial Economic Zone and Titas Economic Zone. MGI’s own corporate information confirms the four-zone portfolio.
Participants also inspected trees planted in 2024 and toured different facilities at Cumilla Economic Zone. KBCCI had previously organised a tree-planting programme at the same economic zone in August 2024.
Senior officials of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Bangladesh and business leaders from Bangladesh and Korea attended the programme.
Farooq Sobhan, president of the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, attended as a special guest. Previous references also identify Sobhan as president of the institute.
The day’s programme included a commemorative photo session and informal exchanges between Bangladeshi and Korean participants.
“Industrial growth should be such that we can leave the land greener than we found it,” Kamal said.
He expressed hope that the trees planted under the initiative would become a symbol of the longstanding friendship and partnership between Bangladesh and Korea.
KBCCI said it hoped the initiative would encourage more businesses to participate in greening activities and help strengthen ties between the two countries.
MGI traces its origins to 1976 and operates more than 57 industrial units across sectors including fast-moving consumer goods, energy, manufacturing and infrastructure. The group says it employs more than 65,000 people and markets products under brands including Fresh to consumers at home and abroad. Its official website identifies Mostafa Kamal as chairman and managing director.
