Responsible business a strategic economic priority
Responsible business conduct is no longer just a compliance requirement but is now emerging as a strategic economic priority for Bangladesh, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said on Tuesday.
He said that strengthening such practices will boost investor confidence, improve market access, and position the country as a competitive and sustainable sourcing hub globally.
Minister made the remarks as chief guest at a national dialogue jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), where experts stressed stronger responsible business practices to enhance trade competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and prepare for Bangladesh’s graduation from LDC status.
The dialogue, titled “Responsible Business Conduct for Resilient Supply Chains and Trade Competitiveness,” supported by the UK Government, brought together government officials, private sector representatives, business associations, development partners, civil society, academia, and industry leaders to discuss how Bangladesh can align its trade and investment ecosystem with evolving global sustainability and due diligence standards.
Speaking at the event, Additional Secretary (Export Wing), Ministry of Commerce Md. Abdur Rahim Khan emphasised the need for stronger institutional coordination and support mechanisms to help businesses adapt to evolving global requirements.
“The global shift toward Responsible Business Conduct presents both challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh. Firms that proactively adopt responsible practices can strengthen competitiveness, improve operational efficiency, and enhance their reputation among international buyers and investors,” he said.
Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh Sonali Dayaratne said Bangladesh’s transition toward responsible business practices must remain inclusive, particularly for SMEs and emerging industries.
“Responsible business conduct is becoming central to export competitiveness, market access, investor confidence, and long-term economic resilience. Bangladesh now has an important opportunity to develop a more structured national approach that strengthens policy coherence, promotes resilient supply chains, and supports sustainable economic growth,” she said.
The dialogue also highlighted the Ministry of Commerce’s initiative to establish a Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Cell to support alignment with emerging international standards and strengthen coordination among government institutions, the private sector, development partners, and industry associations.
Earlier, Dr. Masrur Reaz, Chairman, Policy Exchange Bangladesh, presented the keynote paper.
