DCCI will put emphasis on its policy advocacy role in CMSME, skill development, export diversification, private investment and FDI, financial sector, TAX management, LDC graduation, economic diplomacy, infrastructure, and smart Bangladesh.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) came up with information at a press conference on the contemporary economic situation and to share DCCI’s plan of action for the year 2023 on Saturday.
DCCI President Barrister Md. Sameer Sattar presented the keynote paper on the contemporary economy and made various recommendations on these issues.
Answering various questions from the journalists, Barrister Sameer said that the price of energy is increasing due to the global economic crisis and energy shortage.
"But we urged the government that it should not be a "one-way street’ and when the prices of energy come down in the international market, then they should be adjusted in our country as well, without any delay," he said.
Regarding employment and job cuts due to the global recession, he said that we are also part of this global volatility. But, for the year 2023, both the employers and employees should be happy if they can keep the business afloat by retaining the existing manpower.
For the new entrants, 2.0 million graduates are added to the job market every year, but it is difficult to accommodate them all with suitable jobs, the DCCI president said, adding that many will get jobs but a big portion of the rest may be more inclined towards becoming entrepreneurs.
He stated that young entrepreneurs are very innovative in terms of technological know-how.
"Access to finance is critical to supporting start-ups and sustaining the CMSME sector in this global volatile market," said Barrister Sattar.They should have easy access to finance with the minimum of onerous conditions.
The recent gas price hike is only for industries, not households or the agriculture sector, according to him.
Regarding this price hike, he said that businessmen may be willing to pay a higher price but, in return, they want an uninterrupted gas supply so that they can continue industrial production without any hindrance.
"It is true that the gas and electricity price hikes will have an adverse impact on small businesses as this will increase their production costs. But this is common with any gas/power price hike,", he said.
He also urged the Bangladesh Bank to consider LC margins, especially during the upcoming Ramadan, for essential commodities so that importers can import the same and keep supply stable.
There is no "overnight" solution to increase foreign exchange reserves, Barrister Sattar said, adding that the country has to incentivize more remittance inflow from abroad and enhance export earnings to expedite the reserve.
DCCI Senior Vice President S M Golam Faruk Alamgir (Arman), Vice President Md Junaed Ibna Ali and members of the Board of Directors were also present on the occasion.
