Business leaders on Saturday called on the government to take immediate actions to ensure a stable law-and-order situation in industrial areas, and secure the safety of factories, particularly in the garment sector.

A meeting held at the BGMEA Complex at Uttara in the capital Dhaka, leaders of the country’s key industry associations said that a secure environment was vital for safeguarding jobs and fostering economic development.

Escalating safety risks in industrial areas are a key concern, business leaders said citing a recent attack on a deputy managing director of Mahmud Denim Limited.

They warned that ongoing security issues could discourage investment and entrepreneurship, undermining Bangladesh’s business climate and harming the national economy.

The meeting, chaired by the administrator of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Md Anwar Hossain, was attended by Square Pharmaceuticals managing director Tapan Chowdhury, FBCCI administrator Md Hafizur Rahman, Bangladesh Employers Federation president Ardashir Kabir, Bangladesh Chamber of Industries president Anwar Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Mohammad Hatem, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association president Showkat Aziz Russell, and MCCI president Kamran T Rahman, among others.

Business leaders emphasised the importance of maintaining a secure environment to protect employment and drive economic growth.

Industry leaders urged the government to act swiftly to enhance safety conditions, especially in the garment sector, to ensure the stability of Bangladesh’s industrial landscape.

Another major concern discussed at the meeting was the ongoing gas supply shortage.

Business leaders expressed frustration over banking challenges, particularly issues with access to financing and liquidity, saying that the issues were hindering business operations.

The leaders also expressed concerns about a new Bangladesh Bank policy on defaulted loans, saying that it could disrupt private sector investment and employment.

Businesses expressed concerns over Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from least developed country status in 2026, warning that losing trade benefits could harm the country’s global competitiveness.

They also recommended a 3-6-year extension for the country’s graduation from least developed status to better prepare for the challenges ahead.