DCCI lauds move to set up commercial court

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed has lauded the government initiative to set up the commercial court, calling it a timely step to strengthen commercial dispute resolution and improve Bangladesh’s pro-business climate.

Taskeen made the comments when he met Chief Justice of Bangladesh Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, according to a DCCI statement.

“Although we have ‘Artha Rin Adalat’ and the ‘Arbitration Act-2001’, their narrow jurisdiction and weaker implementation into the broader dispute resolution framework have constrained the ideal business-related dispute settlement culture in the economy,” Taskeen said during the meeting.

“In this regard, the recent approval of Commercial Court Ordinance 2025 is a timely and game-changing step. Efficient commercial dispute resolution is one of the key priorities of ensuring pro-business climate development in the ever-changing global business climate,” he added.

Taskeen thanked the Chief Justice for what he described as active consideration of the Commercial Court initiative, calling it a pressing need for competitive trade and business development amid what he termed an unusual political and economic situation in Bangladesh.

He further acknowledged other initiatives taken by the Chief Justice to ensure judicial independence, including the historic move to establish Supreme Court Secretariat, digitise day-to-day court operations, and form Supreme Judicial Appointment Council, with a view to boosting confidence among the private sector and other stakeholders of the judicial eco-system.

In response, Chief Justice Dr Syed Refaat Ahmed suggested that the private sector continue their concerted efforts to turn the ordinance into a full-fledged act and ensure its implementation so that it can further facilitate trade and investment growth.

He also emphasised the shared efforts of the Bangladesh Supreme Court and the DCCI to better contribute to developing a private sector-friendly regulatory ecosystem going forward.

The Chief Justice recognised Dhaka Chamber as a strong voice of the private sector that caters to the best interest of the business community, and said he expected it to contribute more to accelerating the private sector-led investment and trade in the days to come.  

DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md Salem Sulaiman and Secretary General (acting) Dr AKM Asaduzzaman Patwary were also present at the meeting.