DCCI indentifies 4-priority measure to uptick biz confidence
Business Report :
The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on Monday unveiled a strategic ‘Road to Revival’ roadmap to stabilise the economy including outlining four immediate priorities for 2026.
Taskeen Ahmed, president of DCCI announced four immediate measures, including stricter law and order, transparency in public administration, support for non-wilful defaulters, and lower lending rates.
He made these remarks while addressing a press conference titled ‘Expectations from the New Government to Address the Current Economic Situation’ held at the DCCI auditorium in the capital on Monday.
DCCI said decisive steps in these areas are crucial to restoring business confidence and accelerating economic recovery.
Taskeen Ahmed highlighted other most important issues that include financial sector, energy, industrialisation, tariff policy, logistics infrastructure, employment and skills development, LDC graduation and the signing of trade agreements with the United States.
Dhaka chamber president said, “Businesses across the country continue to face informal payments and harassment, raising operational costs and deterring fresh investment.
The DCCI president called for greater transparency and accountability in public administration.
To rebuild investor confidence and enhance the public trust, corruption must be tackled. Additionally, strengthening institutional governance would improve service delivery.
Taskeen also urged the relevant government agencies to ensure easier access to loans for young entrepreneurs, particularly to facilitate startup businesses under simplified terms.
The DCCI President stated that due to the lack of automation in the country’s overall revenue management system, both individual taxpayers and businesses are often falling victim to unnecessary harassment while paying taxes.
Businesses were being forced to pay the same level of extortion as before the fall of the Awami League government, and in many cases up to 50 percent more, said DCCI President.
At the same time, he said, many remain outside the tax net, depriving the government of due revenue and slowing the pace of revenue collection.
DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md Salem Sulaiman and members of the Board of Directors were present at the event.
“Delays in land acquisition and high land prices, an average 41 per cent increase in service charges imposed by the Chattogram Port Authority, and the ineffective utilization of inland waterways have significantly increased the cost of doing business,” he added.
Regarding LDC graduation, he said that according to UNCTAD estimates, Bangladesh’s exports may decline by 5.5-7 per cent , amounting to approximately USD 2.7 billion.
Considering global economic instability and the current domestic economic conditions, such a significant negative impact on the export sector would be highly undesirable. In this context, he urged the government to take initiatives to defer Bangladesh’s LDC graduation by at least three years.
Referring to the recently signed agreement with the United States, he said it does not guarantee duty-free access for the ready-made garment sector, while conditions related to LNG and other imports may increase business costs.
Taskeen called on the government to renegotiate the terms with the US administration.
Concluding the session, Taskeen Ahmed emphasized that a shift from ‘building assets to delivering services’ is essential for the nation’s economic survival.
“The Board of Directors of DCCI remains committed to the ‘Road to Revival’ and urges the government to act decisively to unlock the country’s full trade potential,” he stated.
