Work together to unlock supply chain opportunities

Government, the private sector and development partners must work together to unlock and expand supply chain opportunities in Bangladesh, experts said.

Addressing people-centric elements is critical for the successful implementation of Supply Chain 4.0, said Prof Shams Rahman, vice-chancellor of East West University, at a programme yesterday.

He made the remarks at the opening session of the Bangladesh Supply Chain Conference 2025, held at the Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka, according to a press release.

The conference drew record participation from 70 organisations and professionals across fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), logistics, pharmaceuticals, telecom, banking, apparel, and academia.

The event also featured the ISCEA Night and Certificate Ceremony 2025, celebrating professionals who achieved globally recognised ISCEA qualifications, a testament to Bangladesh's growing pool of data-driven, future-ready supply chain leaders.

Mahfuz Anam, editor and publisher of The Daily Star, attended as a special guest and reaffirmed the newspaper's commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen Bangladesh's economy and empower the supply chain community.

Syed Shakil Ahmed, head of AI strategy and development at Grameenphone Ltd, and Ruhul Quddus Khan, chief executive officer and managing director of Unilever Bangladesh Ltd, presented two keynote papers.

Ewa Wasiluk, head of supply chain operations at Syngenta CP (AMEA), presented another paper titled "Case Spotlight—AI in Action," showcasing practical applications of artificial intelligence in forecasting, routing, inventory management, and scenario planning.

Three panel discussions -- "Digital & Inclusive: Future-Fit Supply Chains," "Talent for Future Supply Chains," and "Local to Global, Global to Local: Making Bangladesh Supply Chains Future-Ready" -- emphasised the importance of collaboration among the government, private sector, and development partners to unlock new opportunities.

"Today's conversations moved from vision to practice, from snapshots to live signals, and from isolated tools to inclusive ecosystems that connect customers, suppliers, SMEs, and channel partners," said Mohammad Ejazur Rahman, managing director of Mind Mapper Bangladesh and regional CEO for ISCEA Asia, in his welcome and closing remarks.

Under the theme "Digital Data Shapes the Future," the conference explored how digital data, artificial intelligence (AI), and automation are reshaping supply chain planning and execution at both local and global levels.

Organised with ISCEA as the knowledge partner, the conference was powered by Mozumder Logistics and Prime Bank, with support from Radhuni, GPH Ispat, and AH Khan & Co. Radisson Blu Water Garden, Dhaka served as the hospitality partner.