The Bangladesh Restaurant Owners' Association (BROA) has warned that the country’s restaurant industry is facing an existential threat due to skyrocketing energy costs, persistent inflation, and regulatory harassment.
During a press conference held at the Dhaka Reporters Unity on Tuesday (January 13), BROA leaders called for immediate, coordinated government intervention to protect an industry that supports approximately 30 lakh workers and millions more livelihoods.
The most critical challenge cited by the association is the acute shortage of gas. Since December, restaurants nationwide have struggled with a severe lack of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas), while many previous pipeline connections remain disconnected.
"Owners are being forced to rely on expensive LPG cylinders controlled by private syndicates," said Imran Hasan, Secretary General of BROA.
"This has drastically increased operating costs at a time when we are already struggling,” he said.
The association also highlighted a growing trend of extortion. Leaders alleged that politically backed groups are misusing "trade union" identities to threaten and intimidate small and medium-sized restaurant owners for money.
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Furthermore, the industry is currently monitored by multiple ministries and agencies. BROA argued that this fragmented oversight leads to overlapping and frequent inspections, bureaucratic delays in licensing, and constant harassment by various regulatory bodies.
To solve this, BROA has proposed the establishment of a "One-Stop Service" under a single authority to handle licensing, VAT registration, and food safety compliance.
While the cost of essential commodities has surged, restaurant owners say they cannot raise food prices proportionately because consumers simply cannot afford it. This "price squeeze" has already led to the closure of many small establishments.
The association also pointed to the rise of unlicensed street food vendors as a source of unfair competition. These vendors often bypass hygiene standards, VAT, and taxes, creating an uneven playing field for registered businesses that must comply with strict regulations.
Key Demands
Resolve the Energy Crisis: Effective management of LPG distribution and action against price-fixing syndicates.
One-Stop Service: Centralizing all restaurant-related regulatory tasks under one office.
Inflation Control: Realistic government plans to stabilize the prices of essential commodities.
End Extortion: Immediate protection from groups using trade union labels for extortion.
"The restaurant sector is a recognized industry, yet it receives very little policy support compared to large corporations," the BROA keynote stated.