Sound law and order vital for business confidence and investment: DCCI
Business Report :
Business leaders on Saturday emphasised that restoring law-and-order stability is crucial for creating a business-friendly environment that attracts investment, warning that prolonged uncertainty continues to drive up the cost of doing business.
The call came at a view-exchange meeting titled “Necessity of maintaining an improved law & order situation to facilitate the ease of doing business,” organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry at its Dhaka auditorium.
Addressing the event as chief guest, AHM Ahsan, chairman of the Bangladesh Competition Commission, said coordinated efforts by the government and the private sector helped keep markets stable during Ramadan, especially for essential commodities. He emphasised that effective market management depends on close coordination between supply and demand, supported by accurate data on the production, use and distribution of essentials.
Ahsan also noted that a business-friendly environment lowers institutional costs for entrepreneurs, which ultimately helps contain prices.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said private-sector growth has been hampered in recent years by contractionary monetary policy, a weakening law-and-order situation, illegal extortion, corruption, administrative hurdles and bureaucratic delays.
He expressed optimism that the newly elected government would give priority to improving public safety and predictability to stimulate trade and investment.
“There is no alternative to a secure and predictable environment for boosting trade and investment alongside macroeconomic stability,” he said, urging stronger coordination among businesses, law enforcement agencies and policymakers.
Speaking as special guest, Md Abdur Rahim Khan, administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry, said effective law enforcement and stronger market oversight are essential for uninterrupted business operations.
While sustained economic growth can help curb unlawful activities, he stressed that visible reforms are needed to rebuild public confidence.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Shibir Bichitra Barua said law-and-order instability undermines business confidence and deters both domestic and foreign investors.
He added that initiatives are underway to introduce the IPO Policy 2025-28 to support business expansion and investment.
During the open discussion, participants highlighted traffic congestion, extortion during goods transportation and limited access to import licences for essential items as major factors driving up business costs.
Among others present were Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police; Abdul Jalil, director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection; DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury; Vice President Md Salem Sulaiman; and members of the chamber’s board of directors.
