Commerce Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed on Wednesday said that the government is working to simplify business and trade conditions.

He said this when a delegation from the American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) paid a courtesy on him at the Secretariat this afternoon.

The commerce adviser emphasised the government’s commitment to easing business and trade, saying, “The government's objective is to make business and trade easier. Over the past 16 years, no rules and regulations have been followed. Tk 18, 000 crore shortage in banks did not happen by itself. We are working to restore discipline in every sector, starting from law and order. We want to reduce unnecessary obstacles in business and trade.”

Addressing the pressing issue of traffic congestion, the Adviser said, “Traffic jams often occur in Dhaka, and I even see vehicles driving on the wrong side in Gulshan and Banani. For 18 crore people, it is not possible to appoint 1 crore million traffic police officers. The need is to awaken civic sense.”

The AmCham representatives also called for the introduction of deferred payments in international trade and cash incentives for digital payments, asserting that such measures would expedite the formation of a cashless society.

Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Mohang Selim Uddin, AmCham President Syed Ershad Ahmed, and Executive Members Moinul Haque and Rubaba Dowla, were ,among others, present.