FBCCI must be representative, effective and non-political body

Says commerce minister

FE Report | Published: April 19, 2026 22:31:25

The government wants to turn the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex business body, into a democratic and non-partisan organisation to support a stronger business environment, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir said on Sunday.
On the other hand, business leaders have called for appointing an administrator to FBCCI from within the business community instead of a bureaucrat. They argued that someone with real business experience would make the organisation more effective and truly representative.
These views were shared at a courtesy meeting with the commerce minister at the Secretariat. Representatives from the ministries of textiles and jute, and industries were also present.
Among the participants were former BGMEA President SM Fazlul Haque, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem, former BTMA President Tapan Chowdhury, Hajj Agencies Association Secretary General Farid Ahmed Mazumder, former FBCCI Director Nasrin Fatema Awal, BARVIDA President Abdul Haque, and Charcoal Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Atikur Rahman.
At the meeting, the commerce minister said the FBCCI must become a truly representative, effective and non-political body for the country's business community.
He said the organisation should play a stronger role in protecting business interests and properly conveying their demands to the government.
"Constructive pressure can be applied when needed to get policy support, but FBCCI must not be used for political purposes," he said.
He said that FBCCI should work as a united platform for all businesses and support the commerce ministry with practical, field-level inputs for policy-making.
The minister also stressed that capable, forward-looking and dynamic leadership is needed, and that such leadership should come from the business community.
He assured business leaders that the government is committed to creating a business-friendly environment. A new import policy is in its final stage and will be announced soon.
He also said separate committees with business representatives will be formed to improve services in the ministries of commerce, textiles and jute, and industries.
Business leaders focused on the current situation of FBCCI and stressed that appointing an administrator from the business community is important to restore confidence and improve performance.
They warned that policymaking could become disconnected from real business needs if practical experience is not reflected in decisions.
Speaking after the meeting, SM Fazlul Haque said that during the interim government period, an administrator was appointed to FBCCI. After a one-year term, Additional Secretary (Export) of the commerce ministry, Md Abdur Rahim Khan, was reappointed.
He said that after the sudden death of Commerce Secretary Md Mahbubur Rahman, the current administrator has taken on extra responsibilities at the ministry, making it difficult to fully focus on FBCCI.
In this situation, business leaders proposed appointing a business community representative as administrator before the next election.
tonmoy.wardad@gmaill.com