The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) put forward on Monday a set of recommendations to the government that include development of bond market and infrastructure for the country's economic development.
It also called upon the government for Payra sea port development and modernisaiton and capacity building of land ports.
The DCCI board members placed their recommendations during a meeting with the planning minister M.A. Mannan at the planning ministry.
President of DCCI Shams Mahmud said as per the Global Infrastructure Hub report, Bangladesh needs to invest US $ 608 billion till 2040 in water, energy, telecom, port, airport, and rail and road infrastructure.
He said Bangladesh needs alternative funding sources to secure infrastructure development and reduce dependence on public fund, development partners and banking sector.
He urged for diverse fuel mix and local coal exploration to ensure energy for next 50 years' need.
He laid emphasis on investment for skill development, blue economy, innovation and research for climate change, sustainable urbanisation, 4IR technology adoption and investment and financing sources for large infrastructure development in the 8th Five Year Plan.
He suggested for market driven national skills mapping and development scheme needs to be designed to keep pace with the 4th Industrial Revolution.
Planning Minister said the government has taken initiatives for capacity building of Mongla sea Port.
He said government is more focused to implement the ADP in an efficient manner.
He requested the business community to work with the government hand in hand.
He invited the private sector entrepreneurs to invest in large infrastructure projects under PPP model.
Mr Mananan said Bangla Bond has been floated in the London Stock Exchange recently which is encouraging to mitigate for long term financing gap opening up opportunities both for the local and foreign investors.
He opined that Bond can help large infra projects to get its adequate funding as an alternative source of traditional banking sector.
DCCI senior vice -president N.K.A. Mobin, FCA, FCS, vice-president Mohammad Bashiruddin, directors Waqar Ahmad Choudhury, Arman Haque, Alhaj Deen Mohammad, Enamul Haque Patwary, Engr. Md. Al Amin, Md. Shahid Hossain, Md. Zia Uddin, Monowar Hossain, Nuher L. Khan and SM Zillur Rahman were present.
