Policymakers and business leaders on Wednesday called for sweeping reforms to Bangladesh's regulatory and investment environment as the new government finalises its policy agenda and prepares for the upcoming national budget.
They made the call while addressing a business climate dialogue, jointly organised by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) and Policy Exchange Bangladesh with support from the Australian High Commission in the MCCI Chamber Building.
The dialogue brought together industry veterans, legal experts, and foreign investors under the banner: “Improving the Investment Climate: Why It's Critical for the New Government Priorities and the Upcoming National Budget.”
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MCCI Secretary General and CEO Farooq Ahmed, in his welcome remarks, underscored the imperative of strengthening the investment climate to underpin sustainable economic growth.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr M Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, stressed the urgency of timely reforms to unlock private sector growth, sharpen the country's competitiveness, and draw both domestic and foreign capital.
A panel discussion, also moderated by Reaz, surfaced a broad consensus on the structural bottlenecks hampering investment.
Zinnia Huq, Chief Financial Officer of Unilever Bangladesh Limited, argued that investors demand speed, transparency, predictability, and inter-agency coordination, and that policies must evolve from person-dependent arrangements to institution-based frameworks to generate durable investor confidence.
EuroCham Chairperson Nuria Lopez cautioned that the absence of firm commitments on free trade agreements and dependable export access was keeping prospective investors on the sidelines.
She called for policy consistency, modernisation of customs infrastructure, improved energy supply, and public-private engagement underpinned by clear accountability.
Margub Kabir, Head of Chambers at Margub Kabir & Associates, pressed for the overhaul of antiquated procedural laws, arguing that streamlined commercial dispute resolution mechanisms are essential for a functional investment ecosystem.
President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Mahmud Hasan Khan warned that without reliable, quality energy supply, Bangladesh's aspirations of moving up the value chain into higher value-added industries would remain elusive.
The dialogue concluded with a unified call for coordinated reforms and sustained public-private engagement, with participants urging that the day's deliberations be translated into concrete policy action capable of reinforcing investor confidence and securing Bangladesh's long-term growth trajectory.