Business leaders urge elected govt to tackle economic reforms

Corporate executives argued that political uncertainty undermines economic recovery and requested that the caretaker administration defer major policy changes until voters select permanent leadership. Speaking at a forum hosted by The Financial Express on Monday, industry representatives asked officials to seek United Nations approval for delaying the nation’s exit from least developed country status.

Shams Mahmud from the Bangladesh Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry questioned why authorities would finalize labor regulations when elections arrive within three months. Mohammad Hatem of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association said 16 business groups want the government to request the UN reconsideration of graduation timing, given current conditions. Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Taskin Ahmed stated that elected officials must govern for 10 to 15 years to resolve persistent problems.

Special Envoy Refa Siddiqui acknowledged that challenges remain severe despite modest improvements since the transition. Textile association head Shawkat Aziz Russell questioned foreign investment prospects after recent infrastructure failures. Bank executive Sharif Zahir urged faster resolution of default cases to protect legitimate enterprises. Multiple speakers emphasized that buyer confidence has eroded and warned that economic stability requires prompt elections.