Business leaders have called for the immediate appointment of a private-sector administrator and the swift holding of elections at the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), warning that prolonged administrative uncertainty is weakening the apex trade body and eroding business confidence.
The demand was raised during a meeting with Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir at his office in Dhaka.
Following the political transition on August 5, 2024, the FBCCI has been run by a government-appointed administrator for nearly two years. Business leaders at the meeting expressed concern that the absence of an elected leadership has reduced the organisation's effectiveness in representing the private sector.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), emphasised the need to appoint an experienced businessperson rather than a government official as the administrator. He argued that a private-sector leader would be better positioned to understand and address the concerns of the business community.
Hatem also stressed the importance of greater private-sector involvement in policymaking, particularly in trade and industry. He said the federation must remain active, inclusive, and responsive to all business groups, especially at a time when businesses are facing multiple domestic and global challenges.
Highlighting the urgency of restoring elected leadership, he warned that continued uncertainty is undermining confidence among businesspeople and limiting the organisation's ability to effectively advocate for policy support. "Without an elected committee, the FBCCI cannot properly fulfil its role," he said, urging authorities to take prompt steps to hold elections and restore normal operations.
Md Zakir Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Supermarket Owners' Association, said the FBCCI has become ineffective under successive administrators, describing the current situation as a "lack of guardianship." He noted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the most affected, as they depend heavily on FBCCI support, unlike larger firms that can engage directly with government ministries.
Abdul Haque, president of the Bangladesh Reconditioned Vehicles Importers and Dealers Association (BARVIDA), echoed similar concerns, stating that nearly two years without an elected committee has weakened the private sector's voice. He added that several key policy decisions have been taken without adequate consultation with business stakeholders.
He urged the government to appoint a private-sector administrator and ensure early elections, citing past instances where timely measures were taken to maintain institutional stability.
In response, Commerce Minister Muktadir said the government aims to transform the FBCCI into a truly representative, effective, and non-political body. He noted that the organisation must play a more proactive role in safeguarding business interests and communicating industry concerns to the government.
"We want an FBCCI that genuinely serves as a unified platform for all businesses," he said, adding that it should provide practical, ground-level input in policymaking while maintaining independence from political influence.
The minister emphasised that capable and dynamic leadership from within the business community is essential to revitalise the organisation. He also reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining a business-friendly environment, noting that a new import policy is in its final stages and that initiatives are underway to simplify services across key ministries.
FBCCI Administrator Md Abdur Rahim Khan also addressed the meeting.
Among others present were former FBCCI president Mir Nasir Hossain, former BKMEA president SM Fazlul Haque, former FBCCI directors Nasreen Fatema Awal and Gias Uddin Chowdhury Khokon, Bangladesh CNG Machineries Importers Association president Zakir Hossain Nayan, former Rangamati Chamber president Belayet Hossain Bhuiyan, former FBCCI vice-president Nizam Uddin Rajesh, and former director Syed Bakhtiar.
