Prime minister’s adviser on private sector industry and investment Salman F Rahman on Tuesday said that all the facilities currently enjoyed by the RMG sector should also be given to other potential sectors like agriculture, leather, ICT, pharmaceuticals to facilitate those to grow more. ‘All the facilities currently enjoyed by the RMG sector like back to back LC, bonded warehouse should also be given to other potential sectors like agriculture, leather, ICT, pharmaceuticals to facilitate them to grow more,’ he said. Salman said this when the board of directors of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), led by its president Shams Mahmud, called on him on Tuesday, said a DCCI press release. He said that the government had taken various timely initiatives to uphold Bangladesh’s position in the ease of doing business index. ‘Only reforms in policy measures are not adequate. But, the business community can get real benefits due to reforms which would add value to increase Bangladesh’s position in the index,’ he added. The PM’s adviser also echoed with the chamber leaders to reduce corporate tax rate with a view to increase investment in the country. He also appreciated the initiative of DCCI for establishing RnI Platform to do market-oriented research and assured all possible support from the government to this end. DCCI president Shams Mahmud said that Bangladesh was now in the 168th position in the Ease of Doing Business Index. He also thanked the adviser for his concerted efforts to increase Bangladesh’s position in this index further. The DCCI president also urged for reformation of the Companies Act incorporating liquidation, merger and acquisition, alternative dispute resolution, technology like e-voting, video conferencing. Shams emphasised the replication of the RMG success model in other sectors like leather and leather products, ship building, jute and Jute products, agro-processing and light engineering. To facilitate export, he urged the government for strengthening economic diplomacy with the Southeast Asian and African countries. Mentioning that Bangladesh would need $320 billion alone for infrastructure sector by 2030, he suggested for including green field projects in the stock market. Under the initiative of DCCI, Shams said that a Research and Innovation Platform (RnI Bangladesh) is going to be established and also sought support from the government in this regard. DCCI senior vice-president NKA Mobin, vice-president Mohammad Bashiruddin and members of the board of directors were also present during the meeting.
