DCCI launches new economic index for Dhaka’s growth
The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry launched an Economic Position Index on Saturday to track business conditions across the capital through quarterly surveys of manufacturers and service providers. The chamber conducted its first assessment between February and March 2025, interviewing 654 business owners from the manufacturing and service industries.
Chamber President Taskeen Ahmed said existing indices fail to explain shifts in economic activity. The new measurements will track production volumes, sales figures, export patterns, employment levels, and investment plans across garments, textiles, trade, real estate, transportation, storage, and banking operations.
Acting Secretary General Dr. A.K.M. Asaduzzaman Patwary reported manufacturing accounts for 56 percent of Dhaka’s economy while services contribute 44 percent. He recommended the government address law enforcement challenges, guarantee power supplies, reform financial systems, lower interest rates, upgrade infrastructure and simplify tax procedures.
Former chamber leaders and government officials attending the focus group session suggested comparing data against competing nations, adding agriculture statistics and coordinating with other institutional research efforts. Bangladesh Bank representatives said that refined loan data would help target small-business support programs more effectively.
