A recent survey by a prominent think tank, conducted between April and July 2024, revealed that over 16% of Bangladeshi businesses identified corruption as the most significant obstacle to their operations. The findings, presented on November 17 at BRAC Center Inn, highlighted additional challenges such as foreign currency instability, inefficient bureaucracy, inflation, and limited access to financing. Business leaders stressed that bribery and bureaucratic red tape inflate costs and hinder growth, with one industry leader reporting an annual loss of Tk 20-25 lakh due to untraceable graft. Calls for automation, policy reforms, and a streamlined business environment dominated the dialogue.
The report also flagged inflation as a critical risk and criticized the central bank’s contractionary monetary policy. Experts advocated for restructuring institutions, improving ease of business, and addressing systemic issues like criminalized politics. The investment authority announced plans to overhaul operations, aiming for a customer-focused model to boost efficiency and attract investors.
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