Prime Minister Tarek Rahman held a dialogue with private sector entrepreneurs to discuss expanding trade and commerce, attracting foreign investment, and creating a more conducive environment for industrialization. During the meeting, business leaders called for easier access to credit, stronger policy support, and a more business-friendly environment.

The meeting, organized by the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), was held at the Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday (Aug. 1). Entrepreneurs praised the government’s economic initiatives and expressed satisfaction with the progress made under ongoing reforms.

Business leaders also presented a roadmap to the Prime Minister aimed at increasing Bangladesh’s export earnings to US$100 billion by 2030.

Prime Minister Tarek Rahman said the government is fully aware of the challenges facing the economy, and that the business community also understands the realities. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges and said discussions between the government and the private sector would continue.

Referring to the first meeting with private entrepreneurs held in April, the Prime Minister noted that many of the issues raised at that time had already been resolved. He added that several new concerns emerged during the latest meeting and assured that the government would work to address those as well.

Officials informed the meeting that decisions had already been taken on 21 of the 28 issues discussed during the previous dialogue, while the remaining seven are still under process.

The Prime Minister also announced that the government would hold another meeting with business leaders within the next two to three months. He expressed optimism that regular dialogue between the government and the private sector could bring significant positive changes to the country’s economy over the next four to five years.

The meeting was attended by Finance and Planning Adviser Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir, Road, Bridge, Railways and Water Transport Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam, the Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Bangladesh Bank Governor Mostakur Rahman, senior government officials, and representatives of various business groups.