Jagaran Chakma

Weak demand amid slower construction activity, excess production capacity, rising production costs and cheaper imports are putting growing pressure on the country’s float glass manufacturers, squeezing their profit margins.

The government has reduced the board size of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) from 80 to 48 members, tightened election rules and increased membership and affiliation fees through amendments to the Trade Organization Rules, 2025.

For years, businesses and investors have flagged the time and cost of doing business in Bangladesh as a major concern, citing bureaucratic red tape, overlapping approvals and licensing delays. The government has now formed a 21-member high-level taskforce, led by Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, to address it.

The government should speed up domestic gas exploration to expand supply and reduce the country’s reliance on costly imports, according to economists, as the prolonged shortage hurts private investment, industrial output and export competitiveness.

Financial distress has forced Bengal Group to sell its under-construction Swiss Tower in Dhaka to Pubali Bank for Tk 800 crore, ending its decade-long plan to bring the Swissôtel luxury hotel brand to Bangladesh.

Drugmakers appear to be the latest victims of a worsening supply crunch already hurting factories across industrial belts

Manufacturers welcome decision, say it will support investment, jobs

Manufacturers are now investing in local component production to reduce their import dependence