UNDP, Bida, SC announce initiative to establish commercial courts
As part of Bangladesh's wider judicial reform agenda, a pivotal discussion on the establishment of dedicated commercial courts was held on 21 July, bringing together business leaders, legal experts, and policymakers at the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida).
The event, jointly organised by Bida and the Supreme Court with the support of UNDP, follows Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed's recent announcement of steps to establish commercial courts aimed at expediting business dispute resolution and bolstering investor confidence.
Sheikh Abu Taher, secretary of the Law and Justice Division under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, attended as chief guest. He reiterated the government's firm commitment to ensuring a legal environment conducive to economic growth and judicial reform.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"Our vision is to build a judiciary that responds to the evolving needs of the economy. Commercial courts are a timely intervention that will help make Bangladesh more competitive and investorfriendly," he said.
During the consultation, UNDP Acting Resident Representative Sonali Dayaratne added, "This is critical to boosting investor confidence. UNDP is honoured to support the Supreme Court's reform agenda and work alongside the Ministry of Law and Justice and BIDA to enhance the country's business environment. This initiative supports both access to justice and inclusive growth." Aziz Ahmed Bhuiyan, registrar general of the Supreme Court and Chair of the session, welcomed the initiative, noting that dedicated commercial courts would enhance judicial efficiency and transparency.
He remarked, "Establishing specialised, technologydriven commercial courts with trained judges and staff will build investor confidence, ensure faster dispute resolution, and drive economic growth in Bangladesh."
Md Mokhlesur Rahman, executive member of Bida, highlighted the importance of fostering investor trust through reforms in regulatory and judicial mechanisms. "Establishing commercial courts will significantly benefit both domestic and international investors by ensuring swift and effective legal remedies," he said.
A draft of the Commercial Court Ordinance was also presented during the session, followed by openfloor feedback from stakeholders including representatives from the private sector, legal community, and judiciary.
