Improvement of law and order essential for smooth business operations: DCCI

Business leaders today (28 February) underscored the urgent need to restore stability in the country's law and order situation to ensure a conducive environment for trade and investment.

The observations came at a view-exchange meeting titled "Necessity of maintaining an improved law & order situation to facilitate the ease of doing business," organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) at its auditorium in Dhaka.

Speaking as chief guest, AHM Ahsan, chairman of the Bangladesh Competition Commission, said, "Coordinated initiatives by the government and private sector helped maintain market stability during Ramadan, particularly for essential commodities."

"There is no alternative to properly coordinating supply and demand in market management," he said, stressing the importance of reliable data on the use and distribution of essential goods.

"Creating a business-friendly environment reduces institutional costs for entrepreneurs and ultimately has a positive impact on prices," he added.

DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said, "The private sector has struggled to achieve the desired level of growth in recent years due to contractionary monetary policy, deterioration in law and order, illegal extortion, corruption, administrative complexities and bureaucratic red tape."

He expressed hope that the newly elected government would prioritise improving the law-and-order situation to facilitate trade and investment.

"There is no alternative to ensuring a safe and predictable environment for boosting trade and investment alongside macroeconomic stability," he said, calling for stronger coordination among the private sector, law enforcement agencies and policymakers.

As special guest, Md Abdur Rahim Khan, administrator of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FBCCI), said improving law and order and strengthening market management are essential for smooth business operations.

He noted that sustained economic growth would help stabilise the political system and reduce unlawful activities but stressed the need for visible reform measures to restore public confidence.

Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Shibir Bichitra Barua said, "Instability in law and order creates a crisis of confidence among businesses and discourages both local and foreign investment."

He added that the ministry has taken initiatives to introduce the IPO Policy 2025–28 to facilitate business and investment.

During the open discussion, business leaders flagged traffic congestion, extortion during goods transportation and limited access to import licences for essential commodities as major obstacles to reducing the cost of doing business.

Mohammad Harun Or Rashid, deputy commissioner of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police; Abdul Jalil, director of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection; DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury; Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and members of the board of directors were also present at the event.