The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) and the Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) have jointly launched a week-long special service booth to streamline the trade licence renewal process for businesses under DSCC jurisdiction.
Simultaneously, a view-exchange meeting addressing business environment, law and order, and traffic congestion was held by the two organizations.
DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam inaugurated the event on Sunday (16 August) at the DCCI Auditorium in Motijheel, Dhaka.
Special guests included DSCC CEO Md Khayrul Rahman and Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Additional Commissioner (Administration) Md Masud Karim.
The service will run from 16 August to 20 August, operational daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
DCCI member firms and other area businesses can pay the prescribed fees on-site to renew their trade licences for FY27.
DCCI president Taskeen Ahmed stated that a trade licence is a foundational business document. However, entrepreneurs frequently encounter delays and harassment due to vague documentation rules, multiple office visits, and administrative hurdles.
He stressed that eliminating procedural delays and harassment is essential for a business-friendly environment, urging the implementation of digital solutions and multi-year trade licence renewal options.
Chief guest Md Abdus Salam highlighted that public hearings are being hosted every Saturday to ensure accountability within the city corporation, encouraging residents and business owners to participate.
Regarding fees, he noted that if the National Board of Revenue (NBR) charges levied alongside the standard trade licence fee can be reduced, the total renewal cost would drop further.
The administrator noted that while DSCC currently accounts for roughly 250,000 active trade licences, the actual number of operating commercial entities is far higher. He urged unlicensed units to legalize their operations through new registrations or timely renewals.
To ensure hassle-free public service delivery, DSCC is prioritizing digital solutions, including a proposed one-stop service mechanism.
DSCC CEO Md Khayrul Rahman reported that approximately 246,180 trade licences have been issued across 294 business categories under DSCC jurisdiction.
The revenue target for FY27 is set at Tk150 crore, seeking community cooperation to achieve it.
DMP Additional Commissioner Md Masud Karim affirmed that economic activity stalls without stable law and order, assuring that DMP gives highest priority to maintaining a safe business ecosystem.
He urged traders to report any law enforcement harassment occurring during goods unloading from trucks and covered vans in Old Dhaka.
The speakers emphasized that without reducing operational bottlenecks, expanding trade and employment remains difficult, calling for transparent, tech-driven civic services.
At the conclusion of the event, DSCC Administrator Md Abdus Salam formally handed over renewed trade licence documents to representatives of 10 DCCI member companies.