Leaders call for reforms in trade, investment policies and improvement of trade logistics

The 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) was held at the chamber's auditorium in the city on Tuesday.

At the meeting, DCCI members underscored for necessary reforms in trade and investment policies, removal of existing complications in revenue management along with introduction of automation, development of the logistics sector, easier access to low-interest loans with simplified procedures for registration of entrepreneurs.

DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed presided over the meeting while Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, former Presidents, former Senior Vice Presidents, former Vice Presidents, board members, former directors and representatives from othee member organizations were present.
DCCI members also emphasized on the need for strong political will and consensus to ensure a business-friendly environment for the growth and advancement of the private sector.

They also called for uninterrupted energy supply to industries, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said during 2025 the economy faced several major challenges due to geopolitical tensions, increase in tariff rates, absence of supportive revenue management system, contractionary monetary policy, stagnant investment, prolonged inflation, instability in the domestic politics, declining law-and-order situation and the ongoing energy crunch.

Although recently some positive trends have been observed in the overall situation as a result of several measures taken by the interim government to address these challenges, DCCI President opined that there is no alternative to good governance, political will and timely policies with effective implementation to ensure a business-conducive environment.

Taskeen Ahmed DCCI organized 31 sector-based seminars, focus group discussions, policy dialogues and workshops alongside holding 35 important meetings with domestic and foreign policymakers to diversify business approach.

He further said DCCI has initiated the "Economic Position Index (EPI)" to support data-driven decision-making for policymakers, researchers and industrial entrepreneurs, which will measure quarterly changes in economic activities in the manufacturing and services sectors.

DCCI's former President Aftab Ul Islam, FCA, former Senior Vice President Alhaj Abdus Salam, former Director and Chairman of Anwar Group of Industries Manwar Hossain, former Directors Alhaj Mohammad Sharfuddin and A K D Khair Mohammad Khan and Proprietor of Brand Bangla Raju Ahmed Mamun among others also spoke at the event. DCCI Acting Secretary General Dr. AKM Asaduzzaman Patwary moderated the meeting.