TBT DESK: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday held a marathon meeting with top businesses, focusing on improving the investment climate, resolving industry challenges and addressing the ongoing energy crisis.

The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon, began around 11:30am and continued for nearly three and a half hours.

After the meeting, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury told reporters that a wide range of issues related to trade, commerce and investment were discussed, with business leaders outlining key challenges and offering recommendations. “Problems and challenges facing the business sector were discussed, and ways to address them were explored. Business leaders shared their views,” he said.

He said many issues have been resolved, while others remain pending and will be settled through further discussions.

Replying to a question on investment, the minister said the meeting aimed to create a more investment-friendly environment.

“The Prime Minister listened to the business leaders to understand where the barriers to investment lie. He wants to resolve these issues quickly,” he said, adding that some concerns were addressed on the spot, while others will be taken up in follow-up discussions.

Khosru also said discussions were held on opening closed factories and industrial units. “We discussed how to restart factories that have been shut down, including state-owned ones. We hope many of these projects can be revived,” he said.

In response to a question on energy support, he said Bangladesh is receiving assistance from multilateral bodies. “We are receiving cooperation from various multilateral organisations,” he said.

Top business leaders present at the meeting included representatives from DBL Group, Apex Footwear, Pran-RFL Group, Pacific Jeans, Bay Group, Incepta Pharmaceuticals, Runner Group, Rangs Group and ACI.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit, and Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury, among others, were present.

Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon said Tarique Rahman joined office around 10:46am despite it being a public holiday.