The country's apex trade body has requested the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) to reduce its licence, product testing and renewal fees.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has said the BSTI's existing higher charges have created extra burden on industries, thus affecting the country's investment and manufacturing competitiveness.
In a recent letter to the BSTI, FBCCI also sought a comprehensive review of the existing fees and charges in consultation with the businesses and stakeholders to bring them down to reasonable levels.
The FBCCI said businesses are already facing higher production costs, increased utility tariffs, rising borrowing expenses and inflationary pressures, while the cost of obtaining and maintaining BSTI certification is causing extra operational expenses.
Acknowledging the BSTI's role in ensuring product quality and protecting consumers, the apex chamber termed its certification, testing and renewal fees excessive for manufacturers and traders.
According to the FBCCI, its member associations/organisations from different sectors have been repeatedly raising concerns over the issue.
Reduction of the BSTI fees, the FBCCI argued, would lower compliance costs, encourage more businesses to obtain certification and improve product quality and consumer confidence.
"BSTI's licence fees, testing fees for different products and renewal fees should be reduced to rational levels to support domestic industries and enable them to remain competitive in the global market," the FBCCI said in its letter.
The trade body further said lower certification costs would particularly benefit small and medium enterprises and enhance the competitiveness of the country's exporters.
It urged the BSTI to hold discussions with relevant stakeholders and take necessary steps to rationalise its existing fees structure in a bid to help businesses lessen cost of doing business.
The request has been made as the government is pursuing reforms to attract investment, improve the business environment and help prepare industries for greater competition in the post-LDC graduation era.
Copies of the letter have also been sent to the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), ministries of industries and commerce, and the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
A senior official at the BSTI said: "We are working and scrutinising the FBCCI's proposal as any charges to the existing fees involve multiple parties and factors.
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