UNDP, Ministry of Commerce push firms to strengthen supply chains
Speakers at a national dialogue today called for stronger, more responsible business practices to help Bangladesh improve trade competitiveness, build resilient supply chains, and retain access to global markets as the country prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status.
The dialogue, titled "Responsible Business Conduct for Resilient Supply Chains and Trade Competitiveness", was jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), with support from the UK government, at a hotel in Dhaka on 19 May, 2026.
Government officials, private-sector representatives, business associations, development partners, civil society members, academics, and industry leaders attended the event.
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They discussed ways to align Bangladesh's trade and investment ecosystem with evolving global sustainability and due diligence standards.
Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, MP, Honourable Minister, Ministry of Commerce, attended the event as the Chief Guest.
"Responsible Business Conduct is no longer only a compliance issue; it is becoming a strategic economic priority for Bangladesh. Strengthening responsible business practices will help enhance investor confidence, improve market access, and position Bangladesh as a competitive and sustainable sourcing destination in the global economy," he said.
Md Abdur Rahim Khan, Additional Secretary (Export Wing), Ministry of Commerce, emphasised the need for stronger institutional coordination and support mechanisms to help businesses adapt to evolving global requirements.
"The global shift toward Responsible Business Conduct presents both challenges and opportunities for Bangladesh. Firms that proactively adopt responsible practices can strengthen competitiveness, improve operational efficiency, and enhance their reputation among international buyers and investors," he said.
Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh, said Bangladesh's transition towards responsible business practices must remain inclusive, particularly for SMEs and emerging industries.
"Responsible Business Conduct is becoming central to export competitiveness, market access, investor confidence, and long-term economic resilience. Bangladesh now has an important opportunity to develop a more structured national approach that strengthens policy coherence, promotes resilient supply chains, and supports sustainable economic growth," she said.
The dialogue also highlighted the Ministry of Commerce's initiative to establish a Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) Cell to support alignment with emerging international standards and strengthen coordination among government institutions, the private sector, development partners and industry associations.
Earlier, Dr Masrur Reaz, Chairman, Policy Exchange Bangladesh, presented the keynote paper.
