A stakeholder public hearing held today at BSTI headquarters in Tejgaon in the capital. Photo: BSTI

DHAKA, April 25, 2026 (BSS) - Industries Secretary Md. Obaidur Rahman has directed that relevant services of the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) will remain operational even on weekly holidays to ensure faster clearance of imported goods and to help businesses avoid port demurrage costs.

He issued the directive while speaking as the chief guest at a stakeholder public hearing held today at BSTI headquarters in Tejgaon in the capital.

The decision, taken in response to long-standing demands from the business community, is expected to expedite the release of imported goods and reduce unnecessary demurrage expenses at ports. BSTI officials have also been instructed to provide clearance for imported products in less time than stipulated in the Citizen’s Charter.

The Industries Secretary emphasized that the government does not engage in business itself but facilitates a supportive policy environment for entrepreneurs. He assured that the government would continue to stand beside businesses and address their concerns to sustain the country’s development momentum, said a press release.

The public hearing was chaired by BSTI Director General (additional charge) M.A. Kamal Billah. Senior officials of the entity, along with representatives from leading industrial groups, participated in the event. Among them were representatives from PRAN-RFL Group, Square Toiletries, City Group, Walton, ACI Limited, Polar Ice Cream, Olympic Bakery and Confectionary Limited, Olympia Bakery, Trust Infinity Farms and Peerless Industries Limited, among others.

Several important issues were discussed at the hearing, including identifying sources of counterfeit products and taking strict action against illegal producers, reducing the time required for issuing SROs related to product standards, testing food-grade colors at BSTI laboratories before use when necessary, unifying standards for sugar and non-sugar bread, and strengthening drives against non-compliant live bakeries.

In his remarks, the BSTI Director General described businesspeople as the driving force of the national economy and said, “You are our service recipients; we are accountable for any shortcomings in our services.” 

He added that efforts are underway to shorten the SRO issuance timeline and simplify the standard-setting process. He assured that appropriate actions would be taken based on the discussions held at the public hearing.