Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Monday said the government has undertaken a series of initiatives to strengthen the Bangladesh Competition Commission and the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection (DNCRP) to break the monopolistic dominance of large corporate groups and safeguard the interests of small and medium businesses.
He disclosed the measures in Parliament while responding to a question from opposition MP M Nurul Islam regarding the government's efforts to ensure fair competition in the market and protect small traders.
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The minister said a project, titled “Strengthening the Bangladesh Competition Commission,” has been taken up to enhance the capacity of the commission in addressing anti-competitive practices and market concentration. The project proposal was sent to the Economic Relations Division (ERD) through the Ministry of Commerce on April 6, 2026.
He said the government has initiated steps to amend the Competition Act, 2012 to make it more modern and business-friendly. The proposed amendments are currently under review at the Ministry of Commerce.
In addition, the government has moved to amend the Consumers’ Right Protection Act, 2009 to make it more effective and relevant to current market realities, Muktadir added.
To strengthen the DNCRP, the minister said, a proposal is being processed at the Ministry of Commerce to expand the organisation’s workforce and logistical capacity.
Under the proposal, its approved manpower will be increased from 366 posts to 1,762 with the creation of 1,396 new positions. The plan also includes the provision of vehicles and other necessary equipment to improve enforcement and monitoring activities.
Muktadir further said initiatives have been taken to increase budgetary allocations for the directorate to support market surveillance operations, consumer awareness campaigns and other related activities.
He expressed hope that the measures will help establish a more competitive business environment, prevent market concentration and better protect consumers as well as small and medium-sized enterprises across the country.