DHAKA, Jan 3, 2026 (BSS) - The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has called for prudent, timely and effective economic measures to safeguard Bangladesh's economic momentum in 2026, amid political issues ahead of the 13th national election scheduled to be held on February 12, 2026. 

In this context, the DCCI urged the interim government, political parties and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and credible election process, as political stability is the key to sustainable economic recovery and investment growth.
 
The Dhaka Chamber believes that a stable political environment during and after the election period will boost the confidence of local entrepreneurs and foreign investors, said a press release. 

To accelerate economic recovery in 2026, DCCI called upon the government to prioritize the improvement of the overall law and order situation, ensure uninterrupted and affordable energy supply to industries, enhance ease of doing business, reduce the cost of doing business and strengthen infrastructure and policy frameworks to attract both domestic and foreign investment. 

The DCCI further stressed export diversification, targeted support for potential export sectors, easier access to finance for CMSMEs and the development of a skilled workforce to complement the process. 

The DCCI reiterated the need for a long-term, predictable energy pricing policy, alongside accelerated gas exploration, diversification of energy import sources, and the expansion of long-term energy supply agreements.

The DCCI suggested that currency swap can be considered on a priority basis for essential import payments side by side, enhanced incentives for remittance inflows are necessary to stabilize foreign exchange reserves. At the same time, fiscal discipline, improved project implementation efficiency, reduced reliance on bank borrowings and good governance are essential to ease liquidity pressure in the financial sector.

The DCCI also noted that excessive government borrowing from the banking sector could shrink private-sector credit growth. This tendency also contracts the investment and employment growth of the local manufacturing and CMSMEs. 

The Dhaka Chamber also underscored the importance of full automation of revenue management, modernization of tax laws, expansion of the tax base and strict measures to prevent harassment of compliant taxpayers.

As Bangladesh moves further along its transition from LDC status, the DCCI stressed the need for comprehensive economic preparedness. To sustain export growth in the post-LDC era, the Chamber urged accelerated efforts to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with key trading partners and regional economic blocs which will result in expanding market access and reducing tariff-related vulnerabilities.

The DCCI also believes that export diversification, uninterrupted industrial manufacturing, stronger local industries, modern infrastructure, skilled human resources, technological upgradation, expansion of backward linkage industries and rational tax and tariff reforms will be key determinants for maintaining economic growth in 2026.