The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) of Bangladesh introduces the nation’s first-ever logistics policy, aiming to revitalise the sector and propel global competitiveness.
To rejuvenate Bangladesh’s logistics sector, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) unveils the country’s inaugural logistics policy, signaling a pivotal leap towards efficiency and sustainable growth. The policy aims to address bottlenecks and enhance industry operations, though concerns about clarity and implementation mechanisms have been voiced by stakeholders.
Shahida Sultana, Director General of the Executive Cell and PEPZ of the PMO, assures stakeholders that the meticulously crafted draft policy is open for feedback and refinement. Emphasising the government’s commitment to overcoming sector challenges, Sultana underscores the need for prompt finalisation.
Despite ongoing efforts, Bangladesh grapples with its global logistics standing, ranking 33rd out of 50 emerging countries in the Agility Emerging Markets Logistics Index 2024. While the nation shows improvement, investor reservations persist, citing ambiguous provisions and bureaucratic concerns, highlighting the crucial need for policy clarity.
Calls for streamlined coordination echo within the industry, emphasising the appointment of a lead coordinator to optimise resource allocation and oversee sector operations. Fazlul Hoque, former President of BKMEA, supports the policy’s objectives but cautions against punitive measures, advocating for a balanced approach that incentivises compliance.
Dr. Masrur Reaz, Chairman of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, stresses a time-bound legal and regulatory reform agenda for tangible outcomes. Downplaying concerns about operational complexities, Dr. Reaz emphasises enhanced institutional coordination and public-private partnerships to overcome implementation challenges.
Bangladesh, resilient in domestic logistics, ranks 16th in Agility’s Ranking but faces challenges internationally, falling to 36th place. The draft logistics policy is seen as a seminal opportunity to address inefficiencies, promote innovation, and position Bangladesh as a regional logistics hub with stakeholder engagement and collaborative governance at its core.
