Business leaders in Bangladesh have called for specific sector-based action plans to ensure a sustainable and stable transition from least developed country status. The proposals emerged at an FBCCI consultation on Monday at its boardroom in Motijheel, Dhaka, chaired by administrator Md Fazlul Hoque. Participants highlighted the needs of SMEs, agriculture, pharmaceuticals and other industries, stressing proper implementation and regular monitoring alongside strategy formulation.

Entrepreneurs urged stronger local business capacity, skills development, research, innovation, technology use, easier financing, logistics support and reliable energy supplies. An FBCCI report said Bangladesh could lose duty-free GSP and EBA facilities in Europe after graduation, while intellectual-property rules could become stricter for pharmaceuticals and other industries. Speakers said plans should be realistic and based on field-level data identifying sector priorities.

Participants also sought stronger negotiation capacity, full operation of the National Single Window, and rapid public-private action plans for plastics, light engineering and small industries. District chambers and sector associations were asked to submit written proposals to FBCCI, which said it would analyze them and present them to policymakers. Fazlul Hoque said the additional three years available should be used effectively to strengthen private-sector competitiveness.