Photo: BSS

DHAKA, May 16, 2026 (BSS)- Speakers at a seminar here today emphasized the need for market price stabilization and supply chain improvement to protect farmers’ interests and easy and low-interest loans for CMSME entrepreneurs.

They also called for uninterrupted energy supply for industries, infrastructure development, lowering existing VAT rates to overcome the current situation surrounding the various sectors.

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) arranged the seminar on its quarterly publication “Economic Position Index (EPI): Quarterly Macroeconomic State of Dhaka” at its auditorium.

DCCI publishes the EPI to address the lack of adequate information regarding business, trade, investment planning and economic forecasting.

Noted Economist and Chairman of Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) Dr. Zaidi Sattar,  Professor Mizanur Rahman of Business Studies of Dhaka University, Professor M Niaz Asadullah of Economics department of DU, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Commerce Shibir Bicitro Barua; International Trade Expert Nesar Ahmed, former DG of BIDA Ariful Hoque, DG of International Trade, Investment & Technology Wing of Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun, and Senior Private Sector Specialist of IFC Miah Rahmat Ali, took part in the seminar. 

Dr. Zaidi Sattar, though the Index was conducted focusing on Dhaka, its acceptability and effectiveness would increase significantly if it can be expanded nationwide. Such an index would help entrepreneurs to assess the current business climate and take appropriate measures, he said.

Nesar Ahmed said the CMSME sector is at risk of being severely affected. He stressed that there is no alternative to reducing the cost of doing business and ensuring supportive business policies to overcome the current situation.

Shibir Bicitro Barua said, Bangladesh’s economy is currently going through a difficult phase and to better understand the actual state of the economy this type of research should be conducted nationwide.

He also informed that the Ministry of Commerce has taken steps for necessary reforms to the “Import Policy Order,” which is expected to be finalized within the next few months.

Prof. Mizanur Rahman emphasized the necessity of institutional reforms, especially strengthening the capacity of financial sector institutions.

Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun said, Bangladesh should depend more on capital market for long-term financing instead of relying heavily on the banking sector.

Dr. Akhand Mohammad Akhtar Hossain, Chief Economist of Bangladesh Bank said, there is no alternative to FDI for increasing economic growth, an area in which Bangladesh is still lagging behind.

Miah Rahmat Ali emphasized that the government must come forward with necessary policy and financial support for entrepreneurs to tackle global economic instability caused by wars and climate change.

In his welcome remarks, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed stated that Bangladesh’s economy is currently going through a challenging period marked by high inflation, pressure on foreign exchange reserves, sluggish investment, energy uncertainty, rising manufacturing costs and declining employment opportunities, all of which are creating pressure on the macro economy. 

He mentioned that the “Economic Position Index (EPI)” developed by DCCI is a timely initiative that will help policymakers, entrepreneurs, and researchers take effective decisions based on actual economic conditions.

DCCI Secretary General (Acting) Dr. A.K.M. Asaduzzaman Patwari in the keynote paper said, Dhaka Chamber has undertaken the initiative to develop the “Economic Position Index (EPI)” on a quarterly basis to address the lack of adequate information regarding business, trade, investment planning and economic forecasting.

Considering the concentration of industrial activities, he said, the research was conducted in Dhaka using data collected during the first quarter (July-September) and second quarter (October-December) of FY2025-2026. 

He mentioned that the data for this index was collected from 762 respondents, including 330 representatives from the manufacturing sector and 432 from the service sector.

During the open floor discussion session, former Senior Vice President of DCCI Alhaj Abdus Salam, former Director M. Bashirullah Bhuiyan among others also spoke.

DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, members of the Board of Directors and representatives from both public and private sector were present.