Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Thursday said the government is working to simplify business procedures and modernize state-owned industrial units to strengthen the national economy.
“Entrepreneurs currently need 25 to 26 different licenses and permits to register with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). To address this, the government plans to introduce a provisional clearance system, enabling investors to obtain all essential approvals through a single streamlined process,” he said.
The Minister made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the three-day 1st International Dhaka Industrial Packaging Expo 2026 at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.
On logistics, the Minister said the sector accounts for about 16 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP, compared to the global average of around 10 percent.
He attributed the higher cost to inefficiencies in port management and said the government is bringing in internationally experienced foreign operators to improve efficiency.
Muktadir stressed that as Bangladesh moves toward developing country status, temporary measures are no longer sufficient and long-term structural reforms are necessary.
Regarding state-owned industries, he said many large enterprises under the Ministry of Industries and the Ministry of Textiles and Jute have remained idle or loss-making for years, requiring continued government subsidies.
He said there are around 40 such units under the Industries Ministry and 50 under the Textiles and Jute sector.
The government, he added, plans to open up these assets for private investment within the next one to two years, including converting underutilized sugar mills into modern industrial parks and multi-purpose production hubs.
Highlighting the packaging sector, the minister urged entrepreneurs to expand into global markets, assuring policy and institutional support from the government.
He said the industry itself must take the lead in driving growth.
Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) Vice-Chairman Mohammad Hasan Arif said packaging plays a crucial role in export diversification and accessing new international markets.
The event also underscored the strength of the domestic plastic industry, which comprises over 6,000 production units, employs around 1.5 million people, and meets more than 80 percent of domestic demand, with about 450 export-oriented units.
Organized by Exponet Exhibition Private Limited, the expo aims to connect entrepreneurs, technology providers, and investors to promote industrial growth and innovation.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
