Ensure favourable atmosphere for businesses: DCCI President
Business Report :
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed on Wednesday called on the government to create a more business-friendly environment that ensures smooth, transparent, and secure operations.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion on the current law and order situation organised by the DCCI, held at its headquarters in the capital, he emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to enhance the business climate. He also encouraged everyone to extend their cooperation to law enforcement agencies.
While acknowledging every citizen’s right to democratic expression, the DCCI President stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights of business owners to carry out their operations without interruptions. Given the prevailing geo-economic challenges, he urged all concerned to stay alert so that daily public life and business activities continue unhindered.
“Every citizen has the right to exercise democratic freedoms, but it is also equally important to uphold the rights of the business owners to conduct their business without disruption,” DCCI President said.
To strengthen law and order, Taskeen Ahmed proposed several initiatives, including expanded community policing, fast-track response centers to address extortion and fraud, dedicated night patrol teams on highways to ensure safe transportation of goods, and better coordination among law enforcement agencies.
He further highlighted the necessity of administrative and commercial decentralization to ease the burden on Dhaka and promote balanced development in peripheral areas of the country.
Former DCCI Senior Vice-President Alhaj Abdus Salam urged law enforcement agencies to act decisively against criminal elements.
Former DCCI Vice-President M Abu Horairah recommended enhancing parking facilities in Dhaka South and relocating the traffic department office from Shantinagar to Gulistan. He also advocated for the removal of battery-run rickshaws from key city areas and called for immediate enforcement of Dhaka’s strategic transport plan.
DCCI Director Enamul Haque Patwary emphasized the need for regular coordination meetings among stakeholders and increased community awareness campaigns. He also requested the removal of makeshift street shops from footpaths and roads to improve public movement and safety.
Golam Mowla, President of the Bangladesh Edible Oil Traders Association, called for increased evening police patrols in Lalbagh, Kotwali, and Chawkbazar to enhance trader safety.
Haji Md. Abul Hashem, President of the Bangladesh Sugar Traders Association, urged the government to reduce import taxes on sugar, citing rising costs and increased capital investment burdens for traders. He suggested launching a pilot project to operate at least two sugar mills year-round to stabilize supply chains and foster market competition.
Haji Syed Mohammad Bashir Uddin, President of the Moulvibazar Traders Association, proposed allowing private sector importers to import sugar and oil, arguing this would enhance market competition, prevent hoarding, and bring down prices.
Other participants included Nesar Uddin Khan, Senior Vice-President of the Bangladesh Pulses Traders Association; Hazi Foyezuddin, Vice-President of the Bangladesh Manihari Merchants Association; and the President of Mohammadpur Townhall Kachabazar Traders’ Association.
Md. Mahaimenul Islam, Inspector (Investigation) of Motijheel Police Station, also took part in the discussion.
DCCI Senior Vice-President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice-President Md. Salem Sulaiman, and Waliul Islam Dollar, Convenor of the DCCI Law and Order Standing Committee, were also present at the event.