Leading trade body leaders have expressed optimism that the newly formed cabinet will take decisive steps to boost economic growth, restore investor confidence, and address long-standing challenges across Bangladesh's industrial and commercial sectors.
They have expressed optimism that the new cabinet, with qualified and experienced ministers, could tackle pressing economic challenges, restore business confidence, and create a more favourable environment for investment and sustainable growth.
Talking to journalists, President of International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman said, "We hope the new government will perform better and manage everything smoothly."
"As business leaders, we will meet them separately. We are planning to host business meetings and a business conference with the new government to share our thoughts for economic recovery."
Ha-Meem Group Managing Director AK Azad congratulated the new prime minister and said the new cabinet, comprising both new and returning ministers, was quite good.
Expressing the expectation that the cabinet would work on a priority basis considering the country's current situation, he said, "I believe the challenges ahead, particularly improving law and order, restructuring the economy, and increasing employment, will be successfully addressed by them."
Speaking to The Financial Express on Tuesday, Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said the government should consider deferring Bangladesh's graduation from the least developed country (LDC) status by at least three years to protect export competitiveness.
He also urged measures to lower bank interest rates to reduce the cost of doing business.
"Exporters hope the government will ensure adequate foreign exchange reserves to facilitate both exports and imports," he said.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), welcomed the appointment of experienced and qualified ministers.
He expressed hope that the new cabinet would prioritise banking reforms, restore law and order, and ensure adequate power and energy supply to support economic recovery and further growth.
Rupali Chowdhury, president of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), said the cabinet appeared well-organised, with ministries such as planning and finance assigned separate ministers to improve coordination.
A similar approach, she said, had been taken with commerce and industries ministries.
She noted that businesses were facing challenges due to the discontinuation of certain policies and expressed hope that the new government would ensure continuity.
The FICCI leader also highlighted the need to resolve the gas crisis and minimise utility prices.
Showkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), said the new cabinet comprised skilled and knowledgeable ministers capable of addressing complex economic and industrial challenges.
"The cabinet should accelerate industrialisation, resolve long-standing challenges in the textile sector, and foster sustainable investment," he said.
Taskeen Ahmed, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), said the election had provided an opportunity to elect representatives capable of driving the country towards prosperity.
He urged the government to adopt priority-based measures to ensure swift economic recovery, noting that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) had been particularly affected, leading to job losses and disruptions across the manufacturing ecosystem.
Anwar-Ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), president of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries, said the new cabinet was expected to restore confidence among international trading partners and improve Bangladesh's image abroad.
The Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA) has also congratulated BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman on his assuming office as the 11th prime minister of Bangladesh following his party's landslide victory in the 13th parliamentary election.
In a statement, BARVIDA said Tarique Rahman's responsible, far-sighted and prudent leadership in the run-up to the national election and the post-election period had inspired confidence across the country.
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