TDS Desk:

Speaking at a press conference organised by the BCI at its office in the capital’s Tejgaon, he said, “We must understand that economic stability is fundamental…The July revolution gave us new hope, but we expected the interim government to take decisive steps to stabilise the economy. Unfortunately, it seems economic concerns have been sidelined, with the government and political leaders preoccupied with other matters.”

On the many issues, he said, “We are grappling with numerous challenges, including the shock of taka devaluation, rising energy costs, and high inflation, which have exacerbated unemployment.”

He criticised the ousted Awami League government’s failure to address systemic issues, such as bank looting, political unrest, and the collapse of institutions, stating that these have left the economy in a fragile state.

Anwar stressed that without a functioning economy, no future government will be able to manage the country effectively.

He pointed out that the BCI is uniquely positioned to represent manufacturers across the country.

“With the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry [FBCCI] currently unable to fulfil its role as the apex body, BCI has taken the lead to ensure the wheels of economic activity keep turning,” he said.

Outlining the major challenges facing businesses, the BCI president identified three critical issues – energy shortages, inefficient banking systems, and labour unrest.

“We have yet to see any tangible improvements in these areas, and there’s uncertainty about whether conditions will improve in the near future,” he said.

He also raised concerns about the upcoming graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status, warning that it could further increase business costs and push many businesses into a state of existential crisis.

“We strongly urge the government to postpone the LDC graduation by at least three years to allow businesses the time and space to adapt,” Anwar said.