Ensure good governance for better business climate: DCCI

Good governance, strong political will, and timely policies with effective implementation are essential to ensure a business- and investment-conducive environment, the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) said yesterday.

The chamber noted that the economy faced several challenges in 2025, including geopolitical tensions, rising tariff rates, the absence of a supportive revenue management system, a contractionary monetary policy, stagnant investment, prolonged inflation, domestic political instability, a declining law-and-order situation, and an ongoing energy crisis.

"Although some positive trends have recently emerged following measures taken by the interim government, there is no alternative to good governance, political will, and timely policies with effective implementation to ensure a business-conducive environment," Taskeen Ahmed, president of DCCI, said at the chamber's 64th annual general meeting held at its Dhaka office.

During the meeting, DCCI members stressed the need for political consensus to support the private sector and highlighted reforms in trade and investment policies, the removal of complications in revenue management, and the introduction of automation.

They also highlighted the importance of developing the logistics sector, providing easier access to low-interest loans with simplified procedures for entrepreneurs, ensuring uninterrupted energy supply to industries, and stabilising the overall law-and-order situation.

For the first time, DCCI has introduced the Economic Position Index (EPI) to support data-driven decision-making for policymakers, researchers, and industrial entrepreneurs.

"The index will measure quarterly changes in economic activities in the manufacturing and services sectors," Ahmed said.