Dhaka, April 27 -- Small traders from Dhanmondi, Mohammadpur, Shaymoli, and Adabar in Dhaka said weak enforcement of law and order, high interest rates, limited access to finance, complex VAT and tax systems, harassment, and lack of automation pose obstacles to investment and business growth.

They noted that these issues, along with severe traffic congestion, are raising business costs, reducing productivity, and stalling investment, which is discouraging new entrepreneurs in the region. They called for urgent government action to remove these barriers.

They made the remarks at an interactive session organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) on the current business climate and investment outlook, held at Tokyo Squar...