Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has urged the government to formulate a national roadmap for developing Bangladesh’s chemical backward linkage industry, saying stronger domestic production is essential to reduce import dependence and enhance export competitiveness.
Speaking at a DCCI seminar, business leaders and policy experts noted that Bangladesh imports around $6.2 billion worth of chemicals annually, mainly for the ready-made garment, textile, pharmaceutical and leather industries. They warned that high tariffs, energy shortages, logistics bottlenecks, complex licensing procedures and inadequate infrastructure continue to hinder the growth of the local chemical sector.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed described the development of a comprehensive roadmap as a strategic necessity for safeguarding the country’s export industries. Experts also emphasized the importance of uninterrupted energy supply, industry-academia collaboration, research commercialization, skilled workforce development and supportive government policies to foster a competitive domestic chemical manufacturing base.
Industry representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, the pharmaceutical and leather sectors also called for reduced import duties on raw materials, internationally compliant chemical production, dedicated industrial zones and accelerated infrastructure development to strengthen Bangladesh’s industrial backward linkage and reduce reliance on imported chemicals.
