PM sits with business leaders as high-stakes talks begin at PMO

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is currently holding a high-stakes meeting with the country’s top business leaders at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), marking his first formal dialogue with the private sector since taking office.

The meeting, which began today (4 April), is focused on addressing a strained investment climate and navigating the industrial challenges currently gripping the manufacturing landscape.

Officials at the PMO confirmed yesterday (3 April) that the meeting formally marks the launch of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC).

PSAC, the first-of-its-kind platform designed to foster a structured, direct feedback channel between policymakers and entrepreneurs to help shape evidence-based economic policies.

The council, chaired by the prime minister, reportedly includes nine prominent entrepreneurs representing critical sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, footwear, automobiles, and consumer goods.

Among the members present are MA Jabbar of DBL Group, Syed M Tanvir of Pacific Jeans, Syed Nasim Manzur of Apex Footwear, Ziaur Rahman of Bay Footwear, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury of PRAN-RFL Group, Abdul Muktadir of Incepta Group, Hafizur Rahman Khan of Runner Group, Sohana Rouf Chowdhury of Rangs Group, and Arif Dowla of ACI.

According to official sources, the ongoing discussions are expected to prioritise the persistent energy crisis, which has significantly disrupted industrial production and inflated operating costs.

Business leaders are also reportedly prepared to raise concerns regarding high bank lending rates, restricted access to finance, and instability within the capital market – factors that have collectively dampened investment appetite in recent months.

The agenda further includes a review of the manufacturing bottlenecks and the policy adjustments required for Bangladesh’s graduation from the least developed country (LDC) category.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Bin Harun, who is a member of the council as well, stated that Prime Minister Tarique Rahaman intends to hear directly about ground-level realities and the specific policy measures needed to unlock new investment.

Runner Group’s Hafizur Rahman Khan noted earlier that the business community sees the formation of the advisory council as a positive step but expects tangible outcomes.

“We still don’t know the exact agenda, but from the automobile sector perspective, there are challenges related to taxation, registration and policy consistency,” he told The Business Standard yesterday.

“We hope this platform will lead to meaningful reforms.”