Bangladesh must place ethical business practices at the centre of its economic transition if it is to remain competitive after graduating from the least developed country category, analysts and business leaders said at a joint discussion in Dhaka.
The views were shared at a discussion titled Business climate in Bangladesh: issues and challenges of ethical practice, jointly organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) at the FBCCI office in Motijheel.
In the keynote presentation, Centre for Policy Dialogue Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem argued that reducing the cost of doing business requires deep business process re-engineering rather than surface-level reforms.
He said inefficiencies in licensing, registration and customs procedures continue to burden businesses and warned that streamlining services will not work without integrity and accountability within public institutions.
During the open discussion, business leaders stressed that an investment-friendly climate depends on faster digitalisation, automation and the effective rollout of a single window system to improve transparency and predictability.
IBFB Director M S Siddiqui said several regulatory structures still contradict ease-of-doing-business goals, creating uncertainty for both local entrepreneurs and foreign investors.
Responding to the concerns, Anti-Corruption Commission Secretary Mohammad Kaled Rahim acknowledged that procedural complexity remains a challenge and said efforts are underway to simplify systems.
He also urged members of the business community to report specific cases of harassment so that corrective action can be taken.
Foreign Secretary Md Nazrul Islam said the interim government has already embarked on complex institutional reforms, but cautioned that policy changes alone will not be enough without broader behavioural reform across sectors.
IBFB President Lutfunnisa Saudia Khan said ethical practices are not optional but fundamental to inclusive growth and to strengthening Bangladesh’s credibility in the global market.
She added that legal frameworks must be complemented by collective responsibility and sustained dialogue to address the everyday challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
Wrapping up the session, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Administrator Md Abdur Rahim Khan said the chamber would formally convey the private sector’s recommendations to the government.
He also called on businesses to uphold responsible conduct as Bangladesh navigates a more competitive post-LDC landscape.
The discussion was attended by former FBCCI directors, general body members, FBCCI Secretary General Md Alamgir, FBCCI International Affairs Wing Head Md Zafar Iqbal ndc, FBCCI Safety Council Adviser Brigadier General Retd Abu Nayeem Md Shahidullah, leaders of the IBFB and representatives from various chambers and trade associations.
