Businessmen and entrepreneurs have suggested bringing all trade-related services under a single authority for sustainable development of the country’s industry and trade, increasing competitiveness and facilitating trade processes.
A meeting was held between FBCCI and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) Tracking Tools Mission at its Gulshan office on Tuesday (June 24, 2025) afternoon. Participating in the meeting, the businessmen presented several suggestions to ensure a business-friendly environment in the country.
The meeting was presided over by FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman. World Bank Senior Trade Facilitation Specialist Melvin Spreiz, Trade Facilitation Consultant Theresa Morrissey and Senior Transport Specialist and Task Team Leader Nusrat Nahid Baby were present at the time.
It is worth noting that the World Trade Organization (WTO) Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) Tracking Tools is a system that helps member countries facilitate their trade processes and implement their goals under the TFA. The World Bank helps countries facilitate their respective trade processes and utilize the benefits of the TFA.
Business leaders and their representatives placed special emphasis on increasing technical and technological capacity, skill development, infrastructure, logistics and lab capacity to reduce the cost of doing business and increase productivity and competitiveness in the country.
At this time, the members of the World Bank mission listened carefully to the views of the business people on trade facilitation. FBCCI Administrator Md. Hafizur Rahman called for taking the views of the private sector into consideration in the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in the member countries of the WTO.
Among others present at the meeting were former Director of FBCCI Md. Abdul Haque, Secretary General of FBCCI Md. Alamgir, Head of International Affairs Unit of FBCCI Md. Zafar Iqbal NDC, Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association K.M. Iqbal Hossain, Joint Executive Secretary of Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association Faruk Ahmed, Joint Secretary General of Barvida Syed Jaglul Hossain, Senior Manager (Export) of FFCG Department of Meghna Group Mithun Kumar Gayen, among others.
