Businesses seek simpler licensing and better city services
DHAKA, Aug 16: The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), in collaboration with Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC), on Sunday launched a week-long “Trade License Service Week 2026” to facilitate hassle-free renewal of trade licenses for businesses operating in the DSCC area.
The service was inaugurated at a view-exchange meeting titled “Improvement of Local Business, Law and Order Situation, Traffic Congestion and Trade License Renewal Service” at the DCCI auditorium.
DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam attended the meeting as chief guest, while DSCC CEO Md. Khoybar Rahman and Additional Police Commissioner (Administration) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Md. Masud Karim attended as special guests.
Under the initiative, trade license holders in the DSCC area, including DCCI members, can renew their licenses for the 2026-27 fiscal year by paying the prescribed fees at the DCCI premises from August 16 to 20, between 10:00am and 4:00pm.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said trade licenses are among the basic documents required to operate a business legally. However, entrepreneurs often face difficulties in obtaining and renewing licenses due to inadequate information, uncertainty over required documents and delays at different stages.
He called for greater automation of trade license services to reduce delays and harassment, while also proposing multi-year trade license renewal facilities for businesses.
DSCC Administrator Md. Abdus Salam said the corporation is working to improve accountability and efficiency through regular public hearings every Saturday, where residents and businesses can raise their concerns.
He said businesses are a key driving force of the economy and that creating a business-friendly environment would help increase DSCC revenue while improving public services.
According to the administrator, DSCC currently has around 250,000 trade licenses, although the number of businesses operating within its jurisdiction is significantly higher. He urged all businesses to obtain and renew their trade licenses to ensure legal operations.
He also said DSCC is focusing on digital management to provide harassment-free trade license services and plans to introduce a one-stop service. He suggested that reducing NBR-related charges included in trade license fees could create scope for lowering the overall fees.
On traffic congestion, Abdus Salam said initiatives are underway to bring battery-operated auto-rickshaws and hawkers under registration systems. He also sought cooperation from the business community in implementing one-way traffic systems in Old Dhaka and said several initiatives have been taken to restore the area's heritage.
DSCC CEO Md. Khoybar Rahman said a significant portion of the corporation's revenue comes from holding taxes and trade license fees. Around 246,180 trade licenses have already been issued under 294 business categories within the DSCC jurisdiction, he said.
The corporation has set a Tk 150 crore revenue collection target for FY2026-27, and he urged businesses and residents to cooperate in achieving the target.
DMP Additional Police Commissioner Md. Masud Karim said investment and business expansion require a supportive law-and-order environment. He said DMP is giving priority to improving the overall security situation.
He urged businesspeople to inform law enforcement agencies if they face extortion allegedly involving police personnel while unloading goods from trucks or covered vans at different locations in Old Dhaka.
Karim said AI-powered cameras installed on several roads have shown positive results in reducing traffic congestion, and the programme is being expanded. He also said work is underway to formulate a policy to regulate auto-rickshaw movement, with registration and number plates planned once the policy is finalised.
During the open-floor discussion, DCCI Director Mohammad Zamsher Ali, former Senior Vice President Alhaj Abdus Salam, former Vice Presidents Hossain A. Sikder and Alhaj Md. Alauddin Malik, former Directors A.K.D. Khair Mohammad Khan and Alhaj Din Mohammad, and President of Moulavibazar Babosayee Samity Haji Mohammad Ali Bhutto, among others, spoke.
They called for lower trade license renewal fees, automated and hassle-free renewal services, measures to address traffic congestion and waterlogging, registration of auto-rickshaws with number plates, removal of hawkers from footpaths and stronger action against extortion by political groups and law enforcement personnel.
Following the inaugural session, representatives of 10 DCCI member enterprises received their renewed trade license copies from the DSCC administrator.
DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and members of the Board of Directors were also present.
