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Dhaka Chamber President pays courtesy call on Minister for Water Resources

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) President Taskeen Ahmed made a courtesy call on Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, MP, Minister for Water Resources, GoB on May 11, 2026 at Bangladesh Secretariat.

During the meeting, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed stated that as a riverine country, Bangladesh’s inland waterways have historically been the most cost-effective means of transporting industrial raw materials and goods. However, the full potential of these waterways remains underutilized due to challenges such as siltation reducing navigability and illegal encroachment on rivers. In this regard, he emphasized the need to prioritize riverbank recovery, planned dredging activities and necessary infrastructural development so that the country’s business community can reap the benefit of cost-effective and efficient trade logistics facilities.

Dhaka Chamber President further mentioned that the government’s initiative of excavating 20,000 kilometers of water bodies over the next five years would significantly increase inland water transport, reduce the cost of doing business, simultaneously boost irrigation, agricultural productivity and overall economic growth. He opined that strategic utilization of waterways surrounding the capital through proper management of an approximately 112-kilometer circular waterway connecting the Buriganga, Turag, Balu, Shitalakkhya, and Dhaleshwari rivers could serve as an effective alternative transport system to help ease traffic congestion in Dhaka city. DCCI President also emphasized involving the private sector under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework for dredging and logistical support for canal excavation activities.

At the meeting, Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, MP, Minister for Water Resources, GoB said stated that the present government remains firmly committed to the sustainable development of the country’s inland waterways, which are considered one of the most cost-effective modes of transportation. He further noted that several initiatives have already been undertaken in this regard. To implement these initiatives, he called upon the private sector participation in the nationwide canal excavation programme undertaken by the government. He mentioned that the successful completion of this project would bring positive changes to local economic activities through the development of an environmentally friendly and sustainable transportation network across the country.

DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and Secretary General (Acting) Dr. AKM Asaduzzaman Patwary were also present during the meeting.

Published on: 2026-05-11