Vision 2028: Transforming FBCCI into South Asia’s Most Influential Apex Chamber

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), as the central representative body of Bangladesh's private sector, has long served as a critical platform for business advocacy, industrial growth and policy dialogue.

Representing more than a hundred chambers, hundreds of trade and industry associations, and various joint international business forums, the FBCCI has evolved into the collective voice of the country's private sector. Against this backdrop, the core objective of Vision 2028 should be clear: transforming the FBCCI from a nationally significant institution into a truly influential apex chamber within South Asia's regional policy and trade landscape.

The urgency of such a transformation has become increasingly evident in the current global and regional economic context. According to World Bank data, Bangladesh has grown into an economy of nearly $450 billion, alongside a rise in per capita income that has expanded the country's commercial capabilities and market potential. World Trade Organization (WTO) data also indicate that Bangladesh's trade structure is becoming more deeply integrated with global supply chains, reinforcing the importance of business-friendly policy frameworks, logistical efficiency and institutional coordination. In this environment, the real power of an apex chamber lies not only in member services, but in its capacity to shape national economic strategies and influence policy decisions.

The FBCCI already stands on a strong foundation. It participates in policy consultations with the government and contributes to discussions aimed at improving the business climate. Its engagement with international trade organisations and regional business platforms has created a promising base for stronger regional leadership. However, maintaining traditional institutional structures alone will not be sufficient to achieve regional prominence. The next phase requires data-driven leadership, strategic transformation and a shift towards a technology-oriented institution capable of responding to contemporary economic challenges.

A first step towards realising Vision 2028 should be the establishment of a robust policy intelligence framework. Successful chambers across South Asia are no longer limited to opinion-based advocacy; they produce policy recommendations grounded in research and data analysis. If the FBCCI can regularly publish analytical reports on ease of doing business, investment risk, tax structures and export competitiveness, its policy influence would increase significantly. Bangladesh still has room for improvement in global ease of doing business indicators, and data-driven recommendations in this area can directly support more effective policy formulation.

Equally essential is building stronger regional connectivity centred on South Asia's vast market of nearly two billion people. Despite this scale, intra-regional trade remains limited relative to its potential. By establishing permanent business connectivity platforms with regional chambers, and facilitating regular joint trade dialogues and supply-chain collaborations, the FBCCI could help position Bangladesh as a regional manufacturing and trade hub. In such a scenario, the FBCCI would emerge as a crucial bridge connecting economies across the region.

Another critical pillar is improving logistics efficiency and trade competitiveness. The World Bank's Logistics Performance Index suggests Bangladesh's performance remains moderate, indicating substantial scope for improvement in infrastructure and trade facilitation. UNCTAD's shipping connectivity index also points to opportunities to strengthen efficiency in international trade operations. If the FBCCI takes a leadership role in convening joint policy discussions between government and private sector stakeholders on port efficiency, customs modernisation and digital supply-chain systems, the impact on national competitiveness could be significant.

Digital transformation must also remain central to Vision 2028. The FBCCI has already introduced the idea of "Chamber 4.0", emphasising technology-driven business services, automation and skills development. Turning this concept into reality requires integrated digital member platforms, data-driven trade insight systems, and international B2B connectivity frameworks. Such technology-enabled transformation would not only improve institutional efficiency, but also help create a distinct regional identity for the FBCCI as a forward-looking apex chamber.

International brand positioning is another vital dimension. Influential apex chambers maintain visible participation in global economic dialogues, investment summits and international business forums. Initiatives such as the Bangladesh Business Summit should therefore be expanded to attract stronger regional and international engagement. Through these efforts, the FBCCI can move beyond representing national business interests and become an active participant in shaping South Asia's economic future.

At the foundation of this transformation lies institutional governance reform. Sustained influence cannot be achieved without long-term strategic planning, expert-led policy development and research-backed decision-making. Since its establishment in 1973, the FBCCI has accumulated valuable institutional experience; the task now is to integrate that legacy with modern research methods and strategic foresight.

Ultimately, Vision 2028 should not be treated as a slogan, but as a practical roadmap for institutional transformation. If the FBCCI can advance five strategic pillars – data-driven policy leadership, regional connectivity, logistics efficiency, digital transformation and international branding – it has the potential to emerge as one of South Asia's most influential apex chambers within the next few years. As Bangladesh's economy continues to grow, a modern, strong and internationally connected FBCCI will not only represent business interests but also become a key partner in shaping the region's economic trajectory.