The 31st Annual Council of the International Chamber of Commerce – Bangladesh (ICCB) was held in Dhaka on 9 July 2026. Addressing the Council, ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman, on behalf of the Executive Board, presented a comprehensive review of the global and Bangladesh economic outlook, highlighting the key challenges, emerging opportunities and policy priorities for sustaining the country’s long-term growth and competitiveness, a press release said.

Bangladesh must accelerate structural reforms, strengthen macroeconomic stability and enhance public-private collaboration to successfully navigate the post-LDC graduation era and sustain long-term economic growth, said ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman while addressing the Council.

Addressing business leaders, members of the diplomatic community and development partners, the ICC Bangladesh President said the country enters 2026 at a defining moment of its economic journey. Although Bangladesh has demonstrated remarkable resilience through robust remittance inflows, steady export performance and continued infrastructure development, it also faces significant structural and external challenges that require bold and timely policy actions.

He noted that Bangladesh’s economy expanded by around 3.7 percent in 2025, reflecting weaker industrial activity, tighter macroeconomic policies, energy shortages and subdued private investment. Despite these headwinds, export performance remained resilient, while remittance inflows reached a record US$32.8 billion, strengthening the external sector and supporting domestic demand. The agriculture and services sectors also continued to play an important role in maintaining economic stability.

Looking ahead, the President expressed cautious optimism about Bangladesh’s economic prospects, noting that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects growth of around 4.7 percent in 2026, with medium-term growth expected to recover further if macroeconomic stability is maintained and structural reforms continue. He emphasized that Bangladesh’s strategic location, large domestic market, expanding infrastructure and vibrant entrepreneurial community provide a strong foundation for future growth. Emerging sectors such as the blue economy, renewable energy, green infrastructure, the digital economy and tourism also offer significant opportunities for diversification and investment.

However, he stressed that realizing this potential will require decisive reforms. Controlling inflation, strengthening the banking and financial sector, ensuring long-term energy security, mobilizing domestic revenue, improving debt management and restoring private-sector confidence must remain national priorities. He also underscored the importance of concluding Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to preserve Bangladesh’s export competitiveness following graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.

Highlighting infrastructure as a key driver of competitiveness, the ICC Bangladesh President proposed the construction of a modern elevated expressway between Dhaka and Chattogram, describing it as a transformational project that could substantially improve logistics efficiency, reduce transport costs, strengthen export competitiveness and attract greater domestic and foreign investment. He also encouraged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to consider supporting the project through financing and technical assistance.

Referring to the global economic environment, the President observed that geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, rising protectionism and policy uncertainty continue to weigh on global trade and investment. These developments reinforce the need for Bangladesh to strengthen competitiveness, diversify exports and build greater resilience against external shocks.

He said Bangladesh has repeatedly demonstrated its resilience in overcoming adversity and expressed confidence that, with prudent macroeconomic management, improved governance, stronger institutions and closer collaboration between the Government and the private sector, the country can successfully transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s opportunities.

Concluding his address, Rahman called for stronger public-private partnership to build a more resilient, competitive and sustainable economy, expressing confidence that Bangladesh can emerge as one of Asia’s leading economic success stories through bold reforms, sound policies and continued collaboration among all stakeholders.

The Council Meeting was attended, among others, by H.E. Mahdi Amin, Hon’ble Adviser, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Primary and Mass Education, Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment & Ministry of Labour and Employment (and Spokesperson of  Prime Minister’s Office); ICCB Executive Board Members : Kutubuddin Ahmed, Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), Mir Nasir Hossain, Sayeed Ahmed, M.P. Mahmud Hasan Khan, Mohammed Hatem, Syed Nasim Manzur, Simeen Rahman & Md. Fazlul Hoque; Takahashi Junk, Chief Representative, JICA Bangladesh Office; Eric Geelan Political and Economic Counselor, Embassy of the United States of America to Bangladesh; ICCB Members : Rizwan-Ur Rahman, Managing Director & CEO, ETBL Securities & Exchange Ltd.; Mohammad Zahir Hussain, Administrator, Islami Bank PLC; Md. Altaf Hossain, Managing Director of Islami Bank, Osman Ershad Faiz, Managing Director, Dhaka Bank PLC; Hassan O. Rashid, Managing Director and CEO, Eastern Bank PLC; Muhit Rahman, Managing Director, One Bank PLC; Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, Managing Director, Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC; Mohammad Shamsul Islam, Managing Director, National Housing Finance PLC; Abdullah Al Noman, Managing Director & Chief Executive, Lawyers For Energy Environment and Development (LEED) Limited; Margub Kabir, Barrister-at-Law, Margub Kabir & Associates; Mohammed Furrukh Rahman, Head of Chambers, Rahman’s Chambers; Mohammed Abdul Jabbar, Managing Director, DBL Ceramics Ltd.; AKM  Kamrul Islam ,FCA Senior Partner, Islam Aftab Kamrul & CO.; Mohd. Arshad Ali, Managing Director, The Merchants Limited; Mohammad Samsul Alam Mallick, Managing Director, New Zealand Dairy Products Bangladesh Limited; Md. Maroof ur Rahman Mazumder, Managing Director Saudi-Bangladesh Industrial & Agricultural Investment Company Ltd.(SABINCO); Parveen Mahmud, Chairman, Shasha Denims PLC; Syed Ali Jowher Rizvi, Managing Director, Summit Alliance Port Limited; Matiur Rahman, Chairman & Managing Director, Uttara Motors Limited; S M Moinul Islam, Managing Director, Tyser Risk Management Bangladesh Limited (TRMBL); Md. Jashim Uddin, Chairman, Bengal Commercial Bank PLC.; Razeev H Chowdhury, Acting President, DCCI; Osama Taseer, Former President, DCCI; Mohammed Salim, Chief Executive Officer, Eastland Insurance PLC; Hasan Tarek, Chief Executive Officer, Eastern Insurance Company PLC; Enamul Haque, Interim Chief Executive Officer Standard Chartered Bank;  Dr. Rubana Huq, Managing Director, The Mohammadi Limited joined virtually; ICC Bangladesh Banking Commission Chairman Muhammad A. (Rumee) Ali,  ICCB Secretary General Ataur Rahman & K A M Majedur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh International Arbitration Centre (BIAC).