The government will work hand in hand with Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC), in alternative dispute resolution methods, which will encourage businesses and government offices to seek the centre's intervention in resolving disputes, Law Minister Anisul Huq said.

He said the amendment to the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 that made mediation mandatory in all civil cases has been given effect through an official gazette in January 2016.

"This will surely lighten the burden of Bangladesh courts and provide the method for speedy resolution of disputes for all."

He expects BIAC will play a leading role in

ensuring that the ADR cases are taking place successfully and businesses are resolving their disputes in a cost-effective manner.

The minister spoke at a seminar on alternative dispute resolution (ADR), at Le Meridien Dhaka on June 4 on the occasion of the fifth anniversary of BIAC.

BIAC Chairman Mahbubur Rahman presided over the seminar, the centre said in a statement.

BIAC CEO Muhammad A (Rumee) Ali said high economic and social transaction costs are taking a toll on the economy.

Keynote speaker Francis Xavier on the basis of his observation on BIAC and legal system of Bangladesh recommended that BIAC should have full judiciary support and the government should ensure the foreign direct investment

settlement provision.

Mohammad Shahidul Haque, secretary of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, said the government has instructed inclusion of arbitration clause in every government contracts that have a value of up to $50 million and to hold the arbitrations in Dhaka alone.

Mutual Trust Bank CEO Anis A Khan urged all banks and corporate houses to use BIAC's services.

BIAC has been creating awareness in the legal and business community for the past five years, BIAC Chairman Mahbubur Rahman said.

Since 2011, BIAC organised 80 seminars/ workshops, 35 training programmes on arbitration, mediation and negotiations and administered 50 ADR cases.