The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has called for a strategic roadmap to strengthen the country's chemical backward linkage industry, citing the significant growth potential of the sector.
Referring to the local chemical market that exceeds US$ 6 billion, the trade body said heavy dependence on imports, inadequate energy supply, higher tariff rates, complex and lengthy licensing procedures and weak logistics infrastructure have hindered the sector's expected development.
The DCCI made the observations at a seminar titled "Backward Linkage Development of the Chemical-Dependent Key Export-Oriented Industries: Current State and Issues" held at the DCCI auditorium in the capital on Saturday.
Speaking as the special guest, Director General of Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM) Md. Salim Ullah said that the government is currently reforming the National Industrial Policy.
He suggested that the private sector should decide whether the development of the chemical backward linkage industry requires a separate policy or whether necessary reforms should be incorporated as a dedicated chapter in the existing industrial policy.
He also stressed that development of backward linkage industries for chemical-dependent key export-oriented sectors is crucial for the advancement of Bangladesh's industrialisation.
The BIM Director General called for stronger public and private sector collaboration to develop a skilled workforce to support the country's overall economic growth.
In his welcome address, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said that the export competitiveness of Bangladesh's readymade garment (RMG), textiles, leather and pharmaceutical industries depends significantly on a competitive supply chain of chemical products.
"The country's industrial growth continues to be hampered by heavy reliance on imported dyes, chemicals, specialised industrial raw materials, along with tariff complexities, lengthy environmental clearance procedures and logistical bottlenecks," he said.
"Developing a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen the chemical backward linkage industry is no longer optional but a strategic necessity to safeguard the future of Bangladesh's export sector," he continued.
Member (Development) of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) Abul Fatah Md. Baligur Rahman underscored the need to bridge the gap between industry and academia to accelerate the country's economic growth.
He encouraged industrial entrepreneurs to utilise research outcomes and products developed by BCSIR.
He said that BCSIR is rigorously working to establish competitive import-substitute industries by mobilising local resources that would have significant value to the export products.
Managing Director of SR Chemical Industries Ltd, SR Group Ltd. Asif Rabbani said that Bangladesh's domestic chemical market is currently valued at $6-8 billion, growing annually at 10-15 percent.
He said during the fiscal year 2025, Bangladesh imported approximately $6.2 billion worth of chemicals, the majority of which were used in the RMG, pharmaceutical, and leather industries.
Md. Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General (Current Charge), Department of Environment, Md. Shaheen Ahamed, Chairman, Bangladesh Tanners Association, M. Mosaddek Hossain, Senior Vice President, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical industries (BAPI), Dr. Md. Akter Hossain, Director, Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA), Dr. Yeasmin Nahar Jolly, Director and Chief Scientific Officer, Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission; KSM Mostafizur Rahman, President, Bangladesh Agro-Chemical Manufacturers Association (BAMA), Suraiya Sultana, Second Secretary: (Customs: Export and Bond), NBR; Sheikh H M Mustafiz, Director, BGMEA and Founder and Managing Director, Cute Dress Industry Ltd, Md. Moniruzzaman, Director, BKMEA and Chairman, Badon Fashion Ltd, and Md. Majaharul Islam Sumon, Country Manager, DyStar Singapore Pte Ltd, Bangladesh were among the designated discussants.
Director, BKMEA and Chairman of Badon Fashion Ltd Moniruzzaman, Director, BGMEA Sheikh H M Mustafiz, Senior Vice President, BAPI M. Mosaddek Hossain, Director, DGDA Dr. Md. Akter Hossain, President, BAMA KSM Mostafizur Rahman, and Chairman, Bangladesh Tanners Association Md. Shaheen Ahamed, also shared their views at the event.
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