Business leaders and policy experts have said that Bangladesh’s export growth is being constrained by inefficiencies in logistics infrastructure, weak coordination among institutions and high operational costs, calling for urgent reforms to create a more integrated system.
The remarks were made at a roundtable discussion titled “Integrated port and logistics development for a trade-driven Bangladesh,” organised in Dhaka on Saturday by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
DCCI leaders said that without a modern and coordinated logistics framework, the country will struggle to improve its export competitiveness. They highlighted delays in cargo clearance, inefficient transport systems, and the absence of advanced cold-chain facilities as major bottlenecks in the supply chain.
Speakers at the event emphasised the need for digital transformation in port operations, including paperless and automated clearance systems.
They also called for greater use of public-private partnerships to develop logistics infrastructure and for expanded investment in cold-chain networks to support export diversification.
Policy experts noted that although Bangladesh’s manufacturing sector now contributes nearly one-fourth of the national GDP, export earnings remain heavily dependent on a limited range of products and markets.
They stressed the importance of attracting both domestic and foreign investment to broaden the industrial base.
It was also observed that reducing logistics costs could significantly boost exports, with estimates suggesting that a 25 per cent reduction in logistics expenses could raise export performance by around 20 per cent.
Participants further called for better implementation of the national logistics policy, involvement of international-standard operators in port management, and reduced container clearance time at major ports such as Chattogram.
Experts from transport and engineering backgrounds also suggested strengthening rail connectivity and adopting integrated multimodal transport systems, warning that fragmented planning continues to slow infrastructure development.
