The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) has called on the government to formulate a comprehensive national roadmap for developing Bangladesh’s chemical backward linkage industry, emphasizing that stronger domestic chemical production is vital to reducing import dependence and enhancing the country’s export competitiveness.
Speaking at a DCCI seminar, business leaders, policymakers, and industry experts highlighted that Bangladesh imports approximately $6.2 billion worth of chemicals annually, primarily to meet the needs of the ready-made garment (RMG), textile, pharmaceutical, and leather sectors.
Participants noted that the growth of the domestic chemical industry continues to be constrained by high import duties on raw materials, persistent energy shortages, logistics bottlenecks, complex licensing procedures, and inadequate industrial infrastructure.
DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed described the development of a national roadmap for the chemical sector as a strategic priority to strengthen Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries and improve industrial self-reliance.
Experts at the seminar stressed the need for reliable energy supply, stronger industry-academia collaboration, research and innovation, commercialization of new technologies, workforce skill development, and supportive government policies to establish a competitive domestic chemical manufacturing base.
Representatives from BGMEA, BKMEA, the pharmaceutical industry, and the leather sector also urged the government to reduce duties on chemical raw materials, promote internationally compliant chemical production, establish dedicated chemical industrial zones, and accelerate infrastructure development to strengthen Bangladesh’s industrial backward linkage.
They noted that expanding domestic chemical manufacturing would not only reduce reliance on imports but also improve supply chain resilience, increase value addition, and enhance the global competitiveness of Bangladesh’s key export industries.
