Top business leaders have opposed any further depreciation of the taka against the US dollar, warning that a weaker currency will directly push up inflation and intensify cost pressures across the economy.
The position was conveyed on Monday at a meeting with Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman, where a delegation of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) submitted a set of written proposals.
Business representatives said any decline in the taka’s value raises import costs, particularly for fuel, raw materials and capital machinery, which ultimately feeds into higher prices for goods and services.
They noted that industries are already under strain from elevated global commodity prices, rising energy costs and higher freight charges. Further currency depreciation, they warned, would compound production costs and make price stability harder to maintain.
In this context, FBCCI urged the central bank to ensure a stable exchange rate and maintain a steady supply of foreign currency to support uninterrupted import and export activities.
The business body also called for stronger coordination among Bangladesh Bank, the National Board of Revenue and the Export Promotion Bureau to prevent misuse of foreign exchange through over-invoicing.
Alongside exchange rate concerns, business leaders raised the issue of high lending rates, saying elevated borrowing costs are discouraging investment. They proposed a gradual reduction of interest rates to single digits to support industrial growth.
FBCCI further sought policy support for distressed industries, including easier loan rescheduling, concessional financing and incentive packages. It proposed extending the rescheduling window from three months to six months.
On banking sector risks, the delegation stressed the need to reduce non-performing loans through strict action against willful defaulters while allowing policy support for businesses that became defaulters due to external shocks.
They also called for measures to boost private sector credit, which has remained subdued, and for continued incentives to sustain remittance inflows.
The business leaders warned that without a balanced approach to exchange rate management, interest rates and dollar liquidity, inflationary pressures could intensify further, undermining overall economic stability.
