Extortion remains a major threat to businesses across Bangladesh, even eight months after the fall of the previous authoritarian regime, business leaders said.

“Extortion has become an abscess for businesses. Even now, businesspeople cannot operate without fear,” said Taskeen Ahmed, president of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), at a discussion on law and order held at the DCCI auditorium in Motijheel.

Speaking at the event titled “Importance of Maintaining Improved Law and Order for Easing Trade and Commerce,” Ahmed urged the government to create a secure, transparent, and truly investment-friendly environment.

He warned that without decisive, coordinated policy action, the country’s economic prospects could suffer. “Our top priority must be to adopt a coordinated policy framework and take decisive action, especially focusing on business-related law-and-order issues,” he said.

Despite a change in leadership, the DCCI president noted that the expected improvement in the law-and-order situation has not materialised. “Businesses are still worried,” he said. “Extortion remains a serious threat to day-to-day operations.”

Ahmed also pointed to other growing concerns—online fraud, counterfeiting, threats to goods transport, and cybercrime—as key factors eroding investor confidence.

He criticised uneven law enforcement responses, stating that while the garment sector often receives prompt attention, small and medium-sized enterprises are frequently overlooked.

“In a country like Bangladesh, ensuring law and order is fundamental for any kind of socioeconomic progress,” he concluded.