September 07, 2023

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry - FBCCI, the apex body of businessmen, has called for the implementation of VAT, tax and utility charges in the country in coordination with World Trade Organization (WTO) compliance to control the cost of doing business and increase competitiveness.

FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam made this call in a courtesy meeting with Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F. Rahman at Bangladesh Investment Development Authority-Bida office on Thursday (September 07, 2023).

He drew the attention of the government to increase all kinds of policy and technical cooperation including increasing the production capacity of local industry, facilitating the availability of raw materials and technology, modernizing logistics and port management, ensuring the best use of internal mineral resources.

FBCCI President emphasized on strengthening linkages between Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority- BEZA and private sector for sustainable industrial expansion. He said, “Local businessmen should be encouraged to invest in special economic zones. Separate space can be reserved for food processing sector and women entrepreneurs in economic zones. Internal facilities need to be increased here. Business Incubation Centers need to be increased to encourage startups. In this regard, there is an opportunity to work more closely with the SME Foundation.”

During the courtesy meeting, the members of the Board of Directors presented the future action plans of FBCCI, including the establishment of an international quality innovation and research center, the construction of the World Trade Center in Purbachal, the opening of the FBCCI office in Old Dhaka, the opening of separate desks for all departmental chambers, the connection of all members including chambers and associations on a digital platform.

Meanwhile, FBCCI Vice President Khairul Huda Chapal, Shami Kaiser, Mohammad Anwar Sadat Sarkar, Rashedul Hossain Chowdhury (Roni), Yashoda Jiban Debnath and other directors spoke.

Formulating inter-trade policies to speed up and facilitate the country's trade and commerce, providing necessary policy support for the development of the tourism sector, setting up special economic zones in the southern part of the country, providing duty-free facilities for the import of raw materials for the production of electronic products in the country, reducing the duty on the import of ICT products, controlling the access of NBR as a bank for traders. , they put forward several proposals including automation of NBR's tax management.

Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman assured that the government will work more closely with the private sector to improve the business-friendly environment in the country.

He said that after overcoming the shock of Covid, our economy was progressing well. Bangladesh, like the rest of the world, is facing challenges due to the impact of the Ukraine-Russia war. To meet this challenge and maintain the pace of economic growth, the government has already taken several plans. Where the private sector is being considered seriously. He urged the businessmen to be ready to face the challenges of the future by increasing their capacity and adopting innovative strategies.