The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has called on the newly elected BNP government to implement a swift, priority-based economic reset, citing a prolonged slump in foreign direct investment, stress in the small and medium enterprise sector and mounting operational bottlenecks.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the chamber congratulated the BNP on securing a landslide victory in the 13th National Polls held on 12 February and forming the new government. It described the election as much-anticipated and said the vote enabled citizens to elect representatives expected to steer Bangladesh towards a developed, prosperous and democratic future.
The chamber said domestic economic activities have been significantly disrupted amid global geopolitical uncertainty, particularly reciprocal tariff measures imposed by the United States. It stressed that effective, priority-based measures and swift implementation are required to restore momentum.
Bangladesh has not made notable progress in attracting foreign direct investment over an extended period, while export-oriented sectors have also failed to register meaningful gains, the statement said.
The small and medium enterprise sector has been the most adversely affected, resulting in reduced employment opportunities at the marginal level and disruptions across the broader manufacturing ecosystem. Many entrepreneurs are struggling to sustain operations, it added.
A recent deterioration in law and order has further discouraged both local and foreign investors from undertaking new investments, the chamber said.
It also pointed to coordination gaps in port operations and management, delays in implementing National Board of Revenue reform initiatives, uncertainty in energy supply to industries, high interest rates, contractionary monetary policy, lengthy loan processing procedures and inadequate policy support as factors compounding pressure on the private sector.
“There is no alternative to the role of elected representatives” in addressing these challenges and taking timely corrective measures, the chamber said.
To keep the national economy resilient, existing constraints in industrial and commercial sectors must be removed without delay, it added.
DCCI expressed its readiness to work closely with the government to support economic recovery and long-term development.
