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DCCI’s Expectations in the New Year 2026
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) has called for prudent, timely and effective economic measures to safeguard Bangladesh’s economic momentum in 2026, amid political tension ahead of the 13th national election scheduled to be held on 12 February 2026. In this context, DCCI urges the interim government, political parties and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and credible election process, as political stability is the key to sustainable economic recovery and investment growth. Dhaka Chamber believes that a stable political environment during and the post-election period will boost the confidence of the local entrepreneurs and foreign investors.
To accelerate economic recovery in 2026, DCCI calls upon the government to prioritise the improvement of overall law and order situation, ensure uninterrupted and affordable energy supply to industries, enhance ease of doing business, reduce the cost of doing business and strengthen infrastructure and policy frameworks to attract both domestic and foreign investment. DCCI further stressed export diversification, targeted support for potential export sectors, easier access to finance for CMSMEs and the development of a skilled workforce to complement the process.
The ongoing energy crunch and high energy prices continue to disrupt manufacturing and industrial production, eroding Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international markets. DCCI reiterates the need for a long-term, predictable energy pricing policy, alongside accelerated gas exploration, diversification of energy import sources, and the expansion of long-term energy supply agreements.
The persistent foreign exchange pressure and currency depreciation have further negatively impacted the financial sector, also affecting imports of fuel, raw materials, and intermediate goods for export-oriented industries. DCCI suggests that currency swap can be considered on a priority basis for essential import payments, besides enhanced incentives for remittance inflows are necessary to stabilize foreign exchange reserves. At the same time, fiscal discipline, improved project implementation efficiency, reduced reliance on bank borrowing and good governance are essential to ease liquidity pressure in the financial sector.
DCCI also expresses concern that excessive government borrowing from the banking sector could shrink private-sector credit growth. This tendency also contracts the investment and employment growth of the local manufacturing and CMSMEs. Dhaka Chamber underscores the importance of full automation of revenue management, modernization of tax laws, expansion of the tax base and strict measures to prevent harassment of compliant taxpayers.
As Bangladesh moves further along its transition from LDC status, DCCI stresses the need for comprehensive economic preparedness. To sustain export growth in the post-LDC era, the Chamber urges accelerated efforts to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with key trading partners and regional economic blocs which will result in expanding market access and reducing tariff-related vulnerabilities.
DCCI believes that export diversification, uninterrupted industrial manufacturing, stronger local industries, modern infrastructure, skilled human resources, technological upgradation, expansion of backward linkage industries and rational tax and tariff reforms will be key determinants for maintaining economic growth in 2026.
Published on: 2026-01-03