PM sits with top business leaders tomorrow in first high-stakes talks

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to hold his first formal meeting with top business leaders tomorrow (4 April), focusing on the country's investment climate and the pressing industrial challenges.

The meeting, scheduled to take place at the Prime Minister's Office, will also be attended by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, according to official sources.

This high-level dialogue comes at a time when Bangladesh's manufacturing and investment landscape is under strain from persistent energy shortages, high borrowing costs and broader macroeconomic challenges.

Officials at the Prime Minister's Office said the meeting will formally mark the launch of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC), the first platform of its kind in the country aimed at fostering structured dialogue between policymakers and business leaders.

Chaired by the prime minister, the council will include the finance and commerce ministers alongside nine prominent entrepreneurs representing sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, footwear, automobiles and consumer goods.

The PSAC was planned in principle in early 2025 under the interim administration to improve the business environment, modelled on international examples. 

During an event back in February last year, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Bin Harun, who is also a member of the council and held the same position in Bida at the time, had announced that such a council was in the planning stages.

However, after that, no further progress was communicated.

Officials say the platform is designed to create a direct feedback channel between policymakers and businesses, helping shape more responsive and evidence-based economic policies.

Members of the council include MA Jabbar of DBL Group, Syed M Tanvir of Pacific Jeans, Syed Nasim Manzur of Apex Footwear, Ziaur Rahman of Bay Footwear, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury of PRAN-RFL Group, Abdul Muktadir of Incepta Group, Hafizur Rahman Khan of Runner Group, Sohana Rouf Chowdhury of Rangs Group and Arif Dowla of ACI.

Bida Chairman Ashik said the initiative reflects the prime minister's intention to better understand the challenges faced by businesses.

"The prime minister wants to hear directly from business leaders about ground-level realities, what constraints they face, what support they need, and what policy measures can unlock new investment," he said.

He added that the discussions will focus on identifying immediate bottlenecks in manufacturing and exploring ways to sustain growth and competitiveness.

Key issues on the table

According to officials, discussions are expected to focus on the ongoing energy crisis, which has disrupted industrial production and raised operating costs across sectors.

Business leaders are also likely to raise concerns over high bank lending rates, limited access to finance and instability in the capital market – factors that have dampened investment appetite in recent months.

The meeting will also address Bangladesh's preparation for its graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category and the policy adjustments required to remain competitive in global markets.

A business leader invited to the meeting, speaking on condition of anonymity, said entrepreneurs are currently facing "multi-layered challenges."

"Energy shortages and high interest rates are major concerns. At the same time, weaknesses in the banking sector and capital market are affecting overall business confidence," he said, adding that these issues will be raised during the discussion.

Hafizur Rahman Khan, chairman of Runner Group, said the business community sees the formation of the advisory council as a positive step but expects tangible outcomes.

"We still don't know the exact agenda, but from the automobile sector perspective, there are challenges related to taxation, registration and policy consistency," he said. "We hope this platform will lead to meaningful reforms."