Policymakers and experts have said new jobs are not being created in Bangladesh in line with its gross domestic production (GDP) growth.
They stressed on the need for creating more employment to use the present demographic dividend or else it might become a liability for the country.
The distinguished speakers also emphasised implementing trade facilitation measures in the country comprehensively to improve its position in the ease of doing business index.
They said these at a workshop - 'Trade Facilitation Measures in Bangladesh'. The Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) jointly organised it at the former's office in Dhaka on Sunday.
Speaking at the programme, Dr M Masrur Reaz, senior economist and programme manager of the Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund II, said about two million new workforce enter the job market, but enough jobs are not created for them.
He said it is true that Bangladesh is developing, but its competitor countries are moving faster.
New investment is not coming to the country, but it is positive that Bangladesh can hold on the foreign fund already invested here, he added.
Khondaker Muhammad Aminur Rahman, the National Board of Revenue (NBR) member (customs: audit, modernisation and international trade), said the government is working to facilitate the ease of doing business in the country.
Abul Kasem Khan, former president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and Director of the A K Khan and Company Ltd, delivered the keynote address.
He said Bangladesh was 65th in the World Bank's (WB) ease of doing business index in 2004-05, but now its position is 176 out of 190 countries.
The country is growing, but the neighbouring countries are growing more swiftly, he opined.
Nusrat Nahid Babi, private sector specialist of the World Bank Group, and Md Ghyes Kamal, the NBR first secretary (customs modernisation and project management) discussed different aspects of trade facilitation measures in Bangladesh.
Saif Islam Dilal, president of the ERF, presided over the programme, where its general secretary S M Rashidul Islam delivered the welcome speech.
Among others, Mushfiq Ibne Akber, the UK Aid Private Sector Development Adviser, also spoke on the occasion.
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