Businesses seek simpler trade licence process, lower fees

Business leaders have called for a simpler, faster and hassle-free process for issuing and renewing trade licences, saying recent increases in trade licence and signboard fees are placing additional financial pressure on businesses.

They also urged the authorities to regulate different types of vehicles, including battery-run autorickshaws, and enforce traffic laws effectively to ease traffic congestion in the capital.

They made the demands at a view-exchange meeting jointly organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) in Dhaka yesterday (16 August). 

Anger over fee hikes

Speaking at the meeting, former DCCI Vice President Abdus Salam said the initial fee for a trade licence was only Tk50, but the renewal fee has now risen to several thousand taka. Signboard fees have also increased significantly.

He urged the administration to ensure a hassle-free business atmosphere and consider traders' ability to pay when setting trade licenses and other fees.

Traders present at the event said they paid Tk7,800 to renew their trade licence last year, but the fee increased to Tk10,000 this year.. They also said their signboard fee increased from Tk6, 640 to Tk9,000.

The traders said businesses are still struggling to return to normal operations, while higher trade licence and signboard fees are adding to their financial burden.

Long delays in receiving renewed trade licences

Moulvibazar Traders Association President Md Ali Bhuiyan said Dhaka South officials collected outstanding trade licence fees from traders in June, but many have yet to receive their renewed licences nearly three months later.

He said the DSCC administrator was sincere in addressing traders' concerns, but field-level officials were not acting with sufficient urgency.

Trade licence process to be automated, five-year validity planned

Dhaka South Chief Executive Officer Md Khoybor Rahman said there are currently 246,180 trade licences under the corporation's jurisdiction.

Against a revenue collection target of Tk150 crore for FY26, DSCC collected Tk115 crore, he said. The collection target for the current fiscal year has also been set at Tk150 crore.

Khoybor said trade licences are important legal documents for businesses and the issuance process will be made simpler, more transparent and accountable. Steps are also being taken to automate the system, he added.

DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam said arrangements would soon be made to allow traders and citizens to renew trade licences once every five years instead of annually.

The renewal process will also be made faster, easier and fully digital, he said. "Trade licences must be issued on the day of application. No delays will be tolerated."

Demand for equal enforcement of traffic laws

On traffic congestion, traders called for measures to control the number of autorickshaws on Dhaka's roads. They urged stricter regulation and safer, quality public transport.

Business leaders said private car owners face legal action for not wearing seatbelts, while similar enforcement is rare against CNG-run autorickshaws, rickshaws and other vehicles.

They also raised safety concerns over autorickshaws fitted with metal rod bumpers, which can endanger pedestrians, and called for stricter enforcement of traffic rules.

DMP Additional Commissioner Md Masud Karim said police are working to modernise law enforcement and traffic management to create a business-friendly environment.