Leading business figures and experts in Bangladesh on Monday urged the government to implement urgent reforms to tackle persistent economic challenges, including low investment, limited export diversification, weak foreign direct investment inflows, and a fragile logistics system.

Since the interim government assumed office in 2024, reform initiatives and governance measures have raised hopes for economic recovery.

However, stakeholders stressed the need for accelerated action, calling on authorities to prioritise regulatory improvements, investment facilitation, and stronger global partnerships to stabilise and boost the country’s growth prospects.

In this context, the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI), in partnership with Policy Exchange Bangladesh (PEB) and supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), convened an investment climate roundtable titled ‘Path to Economic Turnaround: How Business Environment Fares and Priorities.’

The session aimed to discuss key reforms and set actionable priorities to strengthen the investment climate and unlock local and foreign private sector potential.

Commerce ministry secretary Mahbubur Rahman attended as chief guest, while Bangladesh Investment Development Aughority executive member Shah Mohammad Mahboob and Trade & Investment Commissioner of Austrade Ben Carson highlighted the importance of regulatory reforms and global partnerships in boosting investor confidence.

Policy Exchange Bangladesh chairman Masrur Reaz delivered the keynote address, stressing the urgency of improving the business environment.

Panelists LafargeHolcim Bangladesh CEO Mohammad Iqbal Chowdhury, Newage Group vice-chairman Asif Ibrahim and Economic Reporters Forum president Doulot Akter Mala outlined priority measures, including investment facilitation, export diversification, infrastructure improvement, and enhanced private sector participation.

The roundtable drew high-level representatives from government, industry, and the diplomatic community, including senior trade commissioner at the Canadian High Commission Debra Boyce, country representative of JETRO Kazuiki Kataoka, additional managing director of Eastern Bank Ltd Ahmed Shaheen, Shasha Denims managing director Shams Mahmud, Mehruna Chowdhury of UNDP, Grameenphone director Hossain Sadat,Snehasish Mahmud & Company Managing Partner Snehashish Barua.