STAR BUSINESS REPORT

Regulatory inefficiencies, weak certification systems, inadequate testing facilities, complex export procedures, and poor logistics remain major obstacles to export growth in Bangladesh, according to business leaders.

“Bangladesh must strengthen its certification, compliance, and logistics systems to boost export competitiveness,” said Rupali Chowdhury, president of the Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

She spoke at a roundtable titled “Export Diversification: Challenges and Way Forward,” jointly organised by Prothom Alo and Pran-RFL Group at the Prothom Alo office in Karwan Bazar yesterday.

Citing Berger’s move to locally produce food-grade cans, Chowdhury said that these products still require certification abroad, mainly in India or Singapore, highlighting gaps in Bangladesh’s testing capacity.

She called for major investment to modernise the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) and build essential pharmaceutical testing labs—projects that would cost several billion dollars.

Customs delays, limited automation, and weak compliance frameworks continue to hurt exporters, Chowdhury said. However, she added that trade restrictions in countries like China and Vietnam could create new opportunities for Bangladesh.

DIVERSIFICATION NOT OPTIONAL

Md Mahbub ur Rahman, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh, stressed the importance of identifying non-apparel sectors and supporting them with focused policies. “Twenty years ago, our exports were $9 billion. Now they’re close to $50 billion—but 80 percent still comes from apparel,” he said.

Rahman highlighted the potential of SMEs, saying, “But the process is too complex. We need to simplify it and build a strong support mechanism.”

He also pointed to untapped markets in the Middle East and Asean countries.

Nahian Rahman Rochi, executive member of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), warned that relying solely on RMG, which now brings in around $48 billion, will not meet the country’s long-term goals. “Export diversification is not optional but a mathematical reality for Bangladesh,” he said.

Citing Vietnam and Korea’s success, he stressed sector-specific strategies, skill transfer, partnerships, and better use of Bida support mechanisms. “We’re here to facilitate, not just regulate,” he said, promising to raise key issues in the next national budget.