C T Online Desk: Business leaders on Saturday urged the prime minister to ensure an uninterrupted energy supply, citing pressure on the country’s economy from the ongoing fuel situation.
They also called for smoother entry for foreign investors, requesting that arrivals be made easier without hassles at airports, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said after a meeting.
The remarks came following the first meeting of the Advisory Council on Private Sector Development held at the Prime Minister’s Office in the afternoon.
“Business leaders have sought government support for the use of renewable energy, including solar power,” the finance minister said, adding that the current fuel situation has created economic strain, prompting the demand for a steady energy supply.
According to the minister, the prime minister told business leaders that the government had long been aware of their challenges but wanted to hear detailed accounts directly from them. The prime minister took notes during the discussion and assured participants that while many issues had already been resolved, others remained pending and would be addressed through dialogue.
During the meeting, business leaders also urged the government to simplify licensing procedures to encourage exports by medium-sized entrepreneurs and to operationalize a deep-sea port to accelerate import-export activities and overall trade.
They further emphasized the need to lower interest rates on bank loans, reform the National Board of Revenue (NBR), and expand the tax net instead of placing a heavier burden on specific businesses, the minister said.
The meeting between the prime minister and business leaders began at 11:30am at the Prime Minister’s Office. It was attended by nine top business leaders, along with Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury and Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muqtadir.
Top business leaders present at the meeting included representatives from DBL Group, Apex Footwear, Pran-RFL Group, Pacific Jeans, Bay Group, Incepta Pharmaceuticals, Runner Group, Rangs Group and ACI.
