DHAKA, Dec 23, 2025 (BSS) - The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), one of the country’s leading trade bodies, successfully conducted its 64th Annual General Meeting (AGM) today at the DCCI Auditorium in the capital.

During the meeting, members of the DCCI emphasized the need for strong political will and consensus to ensure a business-friendly environment for the advancement of the private sector. 

They also underscored necessary reforms in trade and investment policies, removal of existing complications in revenue management along with the introduction of automation, development of the logistics sector, easier access to low-interest loans with simplified procedures for entrepreneurs, uninterrupted energy supply to industries and on the overall law-and-order situation, said a DCCI press release.

DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed presided over the meeting while Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, members of the Board of Directors, former Presidents, former Senior Vice Presidents, former Vice Presidents, former Directors and representatives from the member organizations were also present.

In his opening remarks, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed welcomed the participants and stated that in 2025 the economy faced several challenges due to geopolitical tensions, increase in tariff rates, contractionary monetary policy, prolonged inflation, and the ongoing energy crunch. 

Although recently some positive trends have been observed in the overall situation as a result of several measures taken by the interim government to address these challenges, DCCI President opined that there is no alternative to good governance, political will and timely policies with effective implementation to ensure a business-conducive environment.

Taskeen Ahmed mentioned that throughout the year, with a view to bringing stability to the private sector and providing necessary policy support to the entrepreneurs, Dhaka Chamber organized 31 sector-based seminars, focus group discussions, policy dialogues and workshops alongside holding 35 important meetings with domestic and foreign policymakers. 

He further informed that, for the first time, DCCI has initiated the “Economic Position Index (EPI)” to support data-driven decision-making for policymakers, researchers and industrial entrepreneurs, which will measure quarterly changes in economic activities in the manufacturing and services sectors. 

He also stated that with an aim to expanding Bangladesh’s trade footprint, DCCI sent a total of 7 trade delegations this year to the United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Australia, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Besides, it also signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) and Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with 6 domestic & foreign organizations and trade bodies. 

He expressed optimism that the Dhaka Chamber will keep on working tirelessly in the coming days for the development of the country’s private sector.

DCCI’s former President Aftab Ul Islam, former Senior Vice President Alhaj Abdus Salam, former Director & Chairman of Anwar Group of Industries Manwar Hossain, former Directors Alhaj Mohammad Sharfuddin & A K D Khair Mohammad Khan and Proprietor of Brand Bangla Raju Ahmed Mamun, among others, also spoke at the event. 

DCCI Acting Secretary General Dr. AKM Asaduzzaman Patwary moderated the meeting.