In a views exchange meeting held at the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in Motijheel, retailers, wholesalers, and corporate importers of essential commodities emphasized that there is no scope for an increase in the prices of essentials as long as supply remains stable. They warned, however, that maintaining market stability would be difficult unless the government quickly resolves the ongoing fuel shortage, removes obstacles in the supply chain, and curbs the influence of middlemen.
The meeting, chaired by FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque, saw business leaders discussing the market situation of essential commodities. They highlighted that adequate supply of sugar, edible oil, lentils, flour, and wheat flour in line with market demand would prevent any abnormal price increase. Additionally, they called for uninterrupted fuel supply to production-oriented industries to ensure smooth manufacturing.
Representatives of mill owners claimed that despite the existing energy crisis, they were trying to maintain stable supplies and prices of essential commodities. They noted that domestic sugar prices have remained unchanged even though global prices of raw sugar have increased. Golam Mowla, general secretary of the Moulvibazar Traders Association, stressed the need for uninterrupted imports and mill-level production to keep the market stable and urged the government to resolve the fuel crisis and remove complications related to letters of credit (LCs).
Saifur Rahman Sujon, general secretary of the Karwan Bazar Raw Materials Arat Traders Owners Association, called for bringing street hawkers and unregistered traders under market monitoring to strengthen price control. Md Zakir Hossain, general secretary of the Bangladesh Super Market Owners Association, recommended reducing the number of intermediaries in the supply chain to maintain market stability. Leaders of different trade bodies also sought intervention by law enforcement agencies to stop harassment at various stages of the supply system and demanded stronger monitoring of prices at mill gates, wholesale, and retail markets.
Md Abul Kalam Azad, organising secretary of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), emphasized the need for both the government and the private sector to play a more responsible role in ensuring uninterrupted supply and controlling middlemen. Mill owners highlighted recent shortages of gas and electricity that had disrupted production and drew the government's attention to persistent LC-related complications.
A representative of the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) mentioned that the state-owned agency is selling essential commodities at subsidized prices to nearly 10 million families through its Family Card programme. Similarly, a representative of the Directorate General of Food said rice is being distributed to low-income people at subsidized prices under the Food-Friendly Programme, which has contributed positively to price stability.
Concluding the meeting, FBCCI Administrator Md Fazlul Hoque said the recommendations and opinions placed by business leaders would be documented and submitted to policymakers. He urged traders at all levels to cooperate so that the government's newly announced national pay scale does not create any unjustified impact on the prices of essential commodities.
