Private Sector Advisory Council launched, PM chairs opening session

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman chaired the first-ever meeting of the newly formed Private Sector Advisory Council at his Tejgaon office on Saturday, according to a press release from the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

The council was created to provide a structured platform for private sector representatives to offer timely, candid, and evidence-based feedback to the highest levels of government on issues related to the business climate, investment environment, and policy reforms.

The council comprises leading business figures, including Dr Arif Dowla, managing director of ACI PLC; Syed Nasim Manzur, managing director of Apex Footwear Ltd; Hafizur Rahman Khan, chairman of Runner Group; Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, chairman and CEO of PRAN-RFL Group; Ziaur Rahman, managing director of Bay Group; Abdul Muktadir, chairman and managing director of Incepta Group; Md Abdul Jabbar, managing director of DBL Group; Sohana Rouf Chowdhury, managing director of Rangs Group; and Syed Mohammad Tanvir, managing director of Pacific Jeans Group.

Several ministers and officials also attended, including Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, and BIDA Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.

The meeting featured opening remarks from the Prime Minister followed by a detailed discussion covering regulatory frameworks, taxation, human capital, energy, logistics, export diversification, and foreign direct investment.

The council will prepare a consolidated action plan based on private sector input, recommending evidence-based legal, policy, and regulatory reforms to enhance Bangladesh’s global competitiveness. BIDA will coordinate the government’s efforts to implement these recommendations.

BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said, “This initiative marks a significant step in creating a formal mechanism for private sector engagement at the highest level. We thank the Prime Minister for leading this effort and bringing together accomplished business leaders to support Bangladesh’s reform agenda.”