FE roundtable on business climate reforms begins shortly

A roundtable discussion titled “Business Climate: Reforms, Opportunities, and Challenges Ahead” — organised by The Financial Express (FE) — is set to begin shortly at Lakeshore Heights in Dhaka.

The event, scheduled from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm today (Monday), will focus on Bangladesh’s evolving business landscape as the country moves closer to graduation from least developed country (LDC) status.

The discussion will bring together policymakers, private sector leaders, economists, and representatives from think tanks to identify practical policy measures, highlight emerging investment prospects, and build consensus on the way forward for a competitive and sustainable business ecosystem.

Mr Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser, will attend as the chief guest. Mr Md Anwar Hossain, Secretary at the Ministry of Science and Technology (and former Vice-Chairman of EPB and Administrator of BGMEA), and Mr Mohammad Hasan Arif, Vice Chairman of the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), will join as special guests.

Mr Hasnat Alam, economist at Policy Exchange of Bangladesh, will deliver the keynote presentation on behalf of Dr Masrur Reaz.

The session will be chaired by Mr Shamsul Huq Zahid, Editor and CEO of The Financial Express, and moderated by Mr Shiabur Rahman Shihab, Head of Online and Digital Content at FE.

The distinguished panel of discussants includes Mr Abul Kasem Khan, Chairperson of Business Initiative Leading Development (BUILD); Mr Taskeen Ahmed, President of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI); Mr Inamul Haq Khan, Senior Vice-President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA); Mr Mohammad Hatem, President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA); Mr Showkat Aziz Russell, President of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA); and Mr Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI). Also on the panel are Mr Md Moazzem Hossain, Member (Customs & VAT) of the National Board of Revenue (NBR); Mr Sharif Zahir, Chairman of United Commercial Bank (UCB); and Mr Md Ahsan-uz Zaman, Managing Director and CEO of Midland Bank PLC.

Other discussants include Ms Doulot Akter Mala, President of the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF); Mr KSM Mostafizur Rahman, President of the Bangladesh Agro Processors’ Association (BAMA); Mr Shams Mahmud, President of the Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI); Mr Moynul Islam, President of the Bangladesh Ceramic Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BCMEA); Mr Khourshed Alam, Chief Operating Officer (Building Materials) of AkijBashir Group; Ms Kakoli Jahan Ahmed, Executive Director of Bangladesh Bank; and Mr Shubhashish Bose, Chief Executive Officer of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Bangladesh (ICAB).