Business Report :
Commerce Adviser SK Bashir Uddin has stated that the institutional capacity of various organisations in Bangladesh-both in the public and private sectors-has been systematically eroded over the past 15 years. This degradation, he noted, has had far-reaching consequences, particularly for the development of local industries and the overall competitiveness of the market.
Speaking at a seminar titled “Competition Policy in Bangladesh: Prospects, Challenges, and the Way Forward”, held at InterContinental Dhaka, the adviser emphasised that the weakening of institutions has stifled innovation and market dynamism. The event was jointly organised by the Bangladesh Competition Commission and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
“This government is working hard to safeguard small businesses facing unfair competition in the market. Our aim is to break the syndicates of a few dominant companies and ensure fair competition for all,” SK Bashir said.
“Since taking charge, I have encountered numerous challenges,” said the adviser. “However, thanks to a series of positive policy measures, we are beginning to see improvements-particularly in the inflow of remittances and the performance of export sectors. These successes are gradually spilling over into other areas of the economy.”
The adviser cautioned, that the dismantling of institutional capabilities over the past decade and a half has contributed to the emergence of a crony-driven economic system. “This deterioration has enabled the rise of a small group of entrenched players, who have amassed disproportionate economic power. As a result, we are witnessing a highly unequal distribution of wealth, with these cronies actively working to prevent new entrants from entering the market.”
He specifically pointed out that the Bangladesh Competition Commission itself has suffered from this institutional decline, limiting its ability to enforce fair competition. “People want to see competition making a difference in their everyday lives-in the prices they pay, in the quality of services, in the diversity of choices. For that to happen, the Commission must be empowered with adequate resources and authority.”
The adviser also drew attention to predatory practices by some businesses, including deliberate underpricing to push smaller competitors out of the market. “Such unethical tactics create an environment where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) cannot survive, let alone thrive. The Competition Commission must take decisive action against such anti-competitive behavior,” he urged.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman echoed these concerns, pointing out that in many sectors, a handful of companies control procurement and marketing channels. “When five to six firms dominate a supply chain, cost structures become uniform and competition becomes superficial,” he said. “The government is committed to implementing reforms that will foster genuine market competition.”
AHM Ahsan, chairperson of the Competition Commission, underlined the Commission’s dual role-not just in penalising offenders, but also in protecting vulnerable businesses. “Our mission is to dismantle market syndicates and ensure a level playing field,” he said. “We aim to protect small businesses that face unfair and exclusionary practices from dominant market players.”
In this context, the potential of small businesses in Bangladesh is immense. SMEs contribute significantly to employment, innovation, and economic diversification. They are often more agile, customer-focused, and capable of addressing local market needs. However, their growth is held back by multiple barriers, including limited access to finance, regulatory red tape, lack of infrastructure, and, crucially, the absence of fair competition.
To unlock the potential of these enterprises, it is vital to strengthen institutional frameworks, enforce competition laws, and provide targeted support to SMEs. A vibrant small business sector can act as a powerful counterweight to monopolies, enhance consumer choice, and foster inclusive economic growth. As such, revitalising the capacity of organisations like the Competition Commission is not just an administrative reform-it is an economic imperative.
