Industries, Commerce, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Wednesday said the government has launched an initiative to significantly reduce bureaucratic delays in doing business, aiming to cut the time required to start and operate a business�"from registration to import and export activities�"from the current 355 days to just 14 days.
He disclosed the plan while addressing a discussion titled “National Budget 2026-27: Expectations and Achievements of the SME Sector,” organized by the SME Foundation with support from the Economic Reporters Forum (ERF).
Minister said the government is working to simplify business procedures, improve the investment climate, and ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to industrial and commercial establishments. He added that strengthening the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector remains a key priority for accelerating industrialization and employment generation.
The discussion, chaired by ERF President Doulot Akter Mala, was attended by SME Foundation Managing Director Anwar Hossain Chowdhury and National Board of Revenue (NBR) Member Barrister Mutasim Billah Faruqi as special guests. ERF Secretary General Abul Kashem moderated the programme.
