DCCI urges chemical industry roadmap to strengthen export competitiveness
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed today emphasized that developing a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen the chemical backward linkage industry is no longer optional but a strategic necessity to safeguard the future of Bangladesh's export sector.
Taskeen made the remark at a seminar on ‘Backward Linkage Development of the Chemical-Dependent Key Export-Oriented Industries: Current State and Issues’ organized by the DCCI at its auditorium today.
Director General of Bangladesh Institute of Management (BIM) Salim Ullah and Abul Fatah Md. Baligur Rahman, Member (Development) of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) attended the event as special guests.
In his welcome address, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said the export competitiveness of Bangladesh's RMG, textiles, leather and pharmaceutical industries depends significantly on a competitive supply chain of chemical products.
“The country's industrial growth continues to be hampered by heavy reliance on imported dyes, chemicals, specialized industrial raw materials, along with tariff complexities, lengthy environmental clearance procedures and logistical bottlenecks,” he said.
DG of BIM mentioned that the government is currently reforming the National Industrial Policy. He suggested that the private sector should decide whether the development of the chemical backward linkage industry requires a separate policy or whether the necessary reforms should be incorporated as a dedicated chapter in the existing industrial policy.
He also stressed that the development of backward linkage industries for chemical-dependent key export-oriented sectors is crucial for the advancement of Bangladesh's industrialization.
The BIM DG called for stronger public and private sector collaboration to develop a skilled workforce to support the country's overall economic growth.
Baligur Rahman underscored the need to bridge the gap between industry and academia to accelerate Bangladesh's economic growth.
He encouraged industrial entrepreneurs to utilize research outcomes and products developed by BCSIR.
“By mobilizing local resources, how we can add significant value to the export products and establish competitive import-substitute industries BCSIR is rigorously working toward that goal,” he added.
Referring to the light engineering sector, Fatah noted that Bangladesh has a market worth approximately Taka 5,000 crore, but realizing its full potential will require uninterrupted electricity and energy supply alongside appropriate policy support.
In his keynote presentation Asif Rabbani, Managing Director of SR Chemical Industries Ltd stated that Bangladesh's domestic chemical market is currently valued at $6–8 billion, growing annually at 10–15 percent.
In FY2025, Bangladesh imported approximately $6.2 billion worth of chemicals, the majority of which were used in the RMG, pharmaceutical, and leather industries. He identified logistics constraints, high tariff rates, inadequate infrastructure and the lack of an efficient supply chain as major barriers to the sector's development. He stressed the need for both modernization of relevant policies and enhancement of domestic industrial capabilities.
Among others, Ziaul Haque, Additional Director General of Department of Environment; Shaheen Ahamed, Chairman of Bangladesh Tanners Association, M. Mosaddek Hossain, Senior Vice President of Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical lndustries (BAPI), Dr. Md. Akter Hossain, Director of Drug Administration (DGDA), Dr. Yeasmin Nahar Jolly, Director & Chief Scientific Officer of Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, KSM Mostafizur Rahman, President of Bangladesh Agro-Chemical Manufacturers Association (BAMA), Suraiya Sultana, Second Secretary (Customs, Export & Bond) of NBR, Sheikh H M Mustafiz, Director of BGMEA, Md. Moniruzzaman, Director of BKMEA and Majaharul Islam Sumon, Country Manager of DyStar Singapore Pte Ltd, Bangladesh were present.
BKMEA Director Moniruzzaman said successful development of backward linkage industries in the RMG sector through supportive government policies could serve as a model for the chemical industry, leading to greater investment and employment.
BGMEA director Sheikh H M Mustafiz emphasized that uninterrupted energy supply, supportive policy measures, adherence to international quality standards in chemical production and the establishment of specialized industrial zones are essential for the sector's growth.
The stakeholders said despite Bangladesh's local chemical market exceeding $6 billion, heavy reliance on imports, inadequate and uninterrupted energy supply for industries, higher tariff rates, complex and lengthy licensing procedures and limitations in logistics infrastructure have hindered the expected development of the country's chemical backward linkage sector.
During the open discussion, former Senior Vice President of DCCI Alhaj Abdus Salam and DCCI Member M. S. Siddiqui also shared their views.
DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Salem Sulaiman, members of the Board of Directors, representatives from relevant public and private sector organizations were present.
