TBM Report
The apex trade body of Bangladesh, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), is currently mired in a severe administrative deadlock. Since the political transition on August 5, the organization has lacked elected representation. For the last 18 months, the organization has been managed by bureaucratic administrators, which business leaders claim is adversely affecting the national economy, investment climate, and the confidence of the private sector. FBCCI represents approximately 40 million businesses and contributes nearly 4 trillion BDT to national revenue, making its leadership vital for the country’s growth.
A prominent section of the business community claims that the absence of dedicated business leadership has weakened their voice in national policy-making. During crucial government decisions on tariffs, budgets, and import-export policies, the advisory role of FBCCI remains indispensable. However, the current liaison process has become largely ineffective under bureaucratic rule. With the tenure of the incumbent administrator, Abdur Rahim Khan, set to expire on March 2, 2026, stakeholders are demanding the appointment of a seasoned and widely accepted business leader like S.M. Fazlul Hoque, former President of BGMEA, to lead the transition and organize a credible election.
The business community believes that S.M. Fazlul Hoque’s extensive experience and cross-sectoral acceptance make him the most suitable candidate for the role. They assert that to achieve the government’s ambitious vision of a trillion-dollar economy by 2034 and the creation of 10 million new jobs, active cooperation between the government and the private sector is mandatory. Business leaders claim that an experienced administrator will be more effective in advocating for lower interest rates, port efficiency, and solutions to the energy crisis. Their ultimate expectation is that a business-led administration will swiftly hand over power to elected representatives, thereby ending the current economic stagnation.
