BCI AGM focuses on power supply, msmes and tax reforms

The 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) was held at 11:00am today at the BCI boardroom.

The meeting was presided over by BCI President Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez). At the outset, a condolence motion was adopted over the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, convener of Inqilab Mancha, followed by a one-minute silence seeking eternal peace for his departed soul. Prayers were also offered for deceased BCI members. Separate condolence motions were adopted for the late founding director Syed Manzur Elahi and former president ATM Waziullah.

With the president's permission, BCI Secretary General Dr Md Helal Uddin NDC conducted the proceedings in line with the agenda. The minutes of the 38th AGM were approved, followed by the president's address highlighting BCI's activities during the 2024–25 fiscal year and the overall economic situation of the country. The audited accounts for FY2024–25 were approved, and an auditor was appointed for FY2025–26.

In his speech, the BCI president said he was encouraged by the valuable inputs received from business leaders at the meeting. He said BCI continues to work to safeguard the interests of its members with their collective support. As the country's sole national chamber representing industries, BCI has been working to address challenges faced by the industrial sector, particularly through engagement with the government following recent political changes.

He said issues related to VAT and tax (VAT and TAX) raised at the meeting would be taken up promptly with relevant stakeholders.

Highlighting priority areas, the BCI president stressed the need to ensure uninterrupted gas and electricity supply to maintain industrial competitiveness, ensure a smooth democratic transition to support effective supply chains, promote sustainable MSME development to generate employment and reduce income disparity, strengthen collaboration among academia, industry and government for research and innovation, make product testing and certification more entrepreneur-friendly, extend institutional support to new entrepreneurs and start-ups, and rationalise VAT and tax structures with a focus on industrial growth.

Members participating in the discussion included Obaidur Rahman, former BCI president Shahedul Islam, Mainul Islam, president of BCMEA, Matiur Rahman, chairman of Uttara Motor Corporation Limited, BCI vice-president Md Yunus, and members Nurul Hasan Mia, Shahidul Haque and Md Ziauddin, among others. BCI members and directors were also present.

In the concluding session, Senior Vice-President Preeti Chakraborty thanked the participants and sought continued cooperation for BCI's future activities.