BD MCCI A Journey 1904 To 2014

MCCI : A JOURNEY
1904-2014
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MCCI : A Journey 1904-2014
Author : Aksadul Alam, PhD

Consulting Editor : Fakrul Alam, PhD
Research Assistants
Abdus Samad
Lecturer of History
Jagannath University
Shehreen Ataur Khan

Lecturer of English
Jagannath University
Published by
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI)
Chamber Building
122-124, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh
Phone: +880-2-9565208-10 & +880-2-9574129-31 (PABX)
Fax: +880-2-9565211-12
Email: sg@mccibd.org, info@mccibd.org
Web: www.mccibd.org
Copyrights : All copyrights belong to the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and

Industry, Dhaka
First Published
October 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical or by any information storage or retrieval systems
without permission in writing from the publisher.
Graphic Design and Cover
Tarik Sujat
Journeyman
Printed at
One Stop Printshop
60/A, Purana Paltan, Dhaka 1000
Phone : 7115394
ISBN : 978-984-33-8235-1
PREFACE
This is a book about how the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka
(MCCI) has become what it is today. It is the story of 110 years of evolution, of the long and
eventful journey that the Chamber has taken to come to the position it is in now, of the
many name changes it has had, and of the momentous move of the organization from
Narayanganj to Dhaka that has made it the premier chamber of a bourgeoning metropolis
and of a country that has been going from strength to strength as far as economic
development is concerned.
Certainly, the passage of the Chamber from British India to Pakistan and from Pakistan
to Bangladesh has been momentous. It is thus a history well worth recording and that is
what this book sets out to do. The pages that follow therefore give us that history in
considerable detail. In the process it shows how a Chamber that was once exclusively
composed of British traders and merchants gradually began to incorporate in its workings
local businessmen and inanciers till it became transformed into a thriving enterprise
consisting of Bangladeshi entrepreneurs and industrialists whose ambition and outlook
have become increasingly global and cosmopolitan.
But this book is also an attempt to represent the variety of functions undertaken by the
Chamber in our time. It not only documents the Chambers role in advocacy and support of
its members but also the range of programs it has adopted for the constituent community
in particular and the country as a whole. It also provides information on how the Chamber
has evolved into the leading voice of business in this part of the world. In addition, the book
indicates how the Chamber has been adapting itself to help Bangladeshi businesses meet
the challenges of the twenty-irst century. Moreover, it provides information about some of
the key events and personalities that have moulded the Chamber over time.
Ultimately, this book should be seen as commemorative; for the Chamber intends it to be
viewed as part of its program to celebrate its 110 year history and to make its readers
aware of the rich tradition that members of MCCI are heirs to. We hope that it will be of use
as a ready source of information about Chamber activities and new directions that the
Chamber is taking in the new millennium. The Chamber will feel its efforts rewarded if its
members ind in it cause for pride in the Chambers history and if readers of the work ind
in it a place where they can discover aspects of MCCIs multi-faceted nature that they were
hitherto unaware of. Our hope, in the end, is that the same sense of discovery will lead
readers and members to a greater appreciation of the Chambers past and present; we hope
too that they will come up with ideas to make the Chamber a more dynamic body that will
make it an even more effective, representative and responsive voice of Bangladeshi
business in the future.
October, 2014
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The publication of the book is a momentous occasion not only for the Chamber itself but
also for those of us who were involved in the writing and compilation of it. The contentment
in being able to fulill a commitment, given the limited time, is immense.
The initiative of publishing a history of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and

Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) that would be worthy of its past and present achievements was
initially taken by Major General (Retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury, President (2011-2012) of
the Chamber. The current President, Ms Rokia Afzal Rahman along with other members of
the Committee, was greatly inspired by this idea. We would like to thank them all for
rendering all out support. Our gratitude to the former Presidents of the Chamber Mr M
Anis Ud Dowla, Mr Syed Manzur Elahi, Mr Latifur Rahman and the former Secretary-General
Mr CK Hyder, for their contributions. Despite their busy schedule they helped us record the
history they had witnessed and contributed to in their years at the Chamber.
We would also like to single out the contributions of Mr Farooq Ahmed, SecretaryGeneral of MCCI, who worked diligently and gave us his all out support in the publication of
this book. Mr Masudur Rahman of MCCI Secretariat also gave us considerable logistic
support.
We are grateful to Professor Dr Sharif Uddin Ahmed, for sharing his vast knowledge
about the National Archives of Bangladesh with us. With his assistance we were able to
access the West Bengal Secretariat Record Room and the Library and National Archives of
India, Delhi. It would have been impossible to collect the necessary materials about the
commercial history of Bengal without the information provided by Dr Ahmed.
During our ield work in India, we were fortunate to get assistance from some
knowledgeable and helpful people. We would like to take this opportunity to express our
heartfelt gratitude to Mr DP Nag, the Secretary of the Bengal National Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (BNCCI), Kolkata and Mr HS Das, the Head-HR and Administration
of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), Kolkata, India. They provided us
with material from their own records and also made available relevant documents from the
Secretariat Record Room and Library in Kolkata. We also thank Ms Yagyaseni Bareth, Ms
Tanima Dey and Ms Ipsita Chowdhury of Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi, and Dr
Maroona Murmu, Assistant Professor of History in the Jadavpur University, Kolkata for
sparing their valuable time for us to collect various documents from the National Archives
of India (New Delhi), the Central Library of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and the
National Library of Kolkata. In this connection, we would like to thank Professor Dr
Chittabrata Palit as well, who helped us to access and obtain important documents from Sir
Ashutosh Library of Calcutta University.
While carrying out research in our own country, our expeditions to the Bangladesh
National Archives and National Library; Dhaka University Central Library, Newspaper
Section; Bangladesh Asiatic Society Library; and MCCI Library were immensely beneicial.
It is imperative to mention the gratitude of our Consulting Editor and myself to our
Research Assistants, Mr Abdus Samad and Ms Shehreen Ataur Khan, both Lecturers at
Jagannath University for their meticulous research and for spending innumerable hours in
collecting and organizing essential information. We are thankful to Mr Muktadir Abdullah
and Mr Shahinuzzaman for their assistance. We are indebted to Mr Babul Prasad,
Administrative Oficer of the Department of English, University of Dhaka, for all the hard
work he did in incorporating editorial revisions.
Amongst our colleagues at the University of Dhaka, Professor Sayeedul Hoque Khan of
the Department of Marketing, Professor Sharif Ullah Bhuiyan of the Department of History,
Dr Shantanu Majumdar of the Department of Political Science, Mr Shameem Reza of the
Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, Mr MA Kawser of the Department of
History, Dr Mohammad Azam and Ms Meher Nigar of the Department of Bangla inspired us
in persevering and staying focused on the successful completion of the work. However,
Professor Dr Asha Islam Nayeem of the Department of History must be singled out for her
never-ending and unreserved assistance to those of us involved in the project.
When the manuscript of the book was almost ready, a chance encounter with our
Consulting Editor led us to Mr Tarik Sujat, who is no mere publisher, but someone who
believes in producing books that are beautiful and a pleasure to look at as well as read. We
would like to thank him and two members of his design irm, Mr Mostaizur Rahman and
Mr Akter Hossain for working tirelessly on a book that would surely have been even more
attractive if they had been given a little more time to perfect it.
Last, but by no means least, I would like to take this opportunity to pay homage to the
person I have always looked up to, Professor Dr Fakrul Alam, Professor of English at the
University of Dhaka, and our Consulting Editor. If it were not for the privilege of working
under his wing, I would not have been a part of this interesting project. If not for his
guidance and inspiration, I would not have had the strength to persevere to the end.
October 18, 2014
Aksadul Alam, PhD

Department of History
University of Dhaka
CONTENTS
Chapter
Chapter
Introduction
13
Evolution of the Chamber
21
NCC, 1904-50
22
NCCI, 1959-79
27
DNCC, 1950-52
DNCCI, 1952-59
The Chamber in 1971
MCCI, Dhaka: 1979-1999
MCCI, Dhaka: 2000-Present

Chapter
The Move from Narayanganj to Dhaka
The Chamber Now: Organization
Eligibility of Membership
Rights and Privileges
25
26
31
34
41
47
51
53
54
Subscription
55
The President
57
Expulsion
Management Structure of the Chamber

The Vice-President
The Chamber Committee

The Sub Committees
56
56
59
59
61
The Chamber Secretariat
63
Secretary and Secretary-General
69
Secretarial Services to Other Bodies/ Associations

Departments/Cells of the Chamber Secretariat
The contribution of CK Hyder
64
65
72
Chapter
The Chamber Now: Functions
Reviews
NCC Phase (1904-1950)
DNCC Phase (1950-52)
DNCCI Phase (1952-59)
NCCI Phase (1959-1979)
MCCI, Dhaka: First Phase (1979-1999)
MCCI, Dhaka: Millennium Phase (2000-Present)
International Connections
NCC Phase (1904-1950)
DNCC Phase (1950-1952)
DNCCI Phase (1952-59)
NCCI Phase (1959-79)
MCCI, Dhaka: First Phase (1979-1999)
MCCI, Dhaka: Millennium Phase (200-Present)
Representations
Representations (Historical Outline)
Public Bodies
Educational Institutions
Consultative Committees of Ministries
Trade Organisations/Associations
Financial Institutions
Commissions and Enquiries
Urbanizations and Town Development Bodies
Ports ICD
Health Sector
Various Government Committees and Others
Publications
Research Cell and Preparation of Position Papers
Regular Publications
Occasional Publications
Contact with the media
Communication Development
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
75
77
78
82
83
84
86
92
97
98
98
99
101
104
108
116
117
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
127
128
128
129
130
131
134
134
135
136
Chapter
The Chamber and the Nation
Education Sector
Viqarunnisa Noon School
Udayan Bidyalay
The Narayanganj Education Society
Polytechnic Education in East Bengal
Chittagong Public School
Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka
Narayanganj Chamber Benevolent and Scholarship Fund
Jamait-Ul-Falah
Eighth Pakistan Science Conference
Health Sector
Victoria Hospital
Dacca Ladies Club Poor Patients Fund
Holy Family Hospital Scheme
Dacca Shishu Hospital
Others
Environment Sector
Environmental Management Program
Discussion on Climate Change and Business Opportunities
Environmental Initiatives to Prevent Water Pollution
Introducing Award on Environment
Roundtable on Environment and River Pollution
Other Services to the Nation (Selective)
Chapter
Donations/Contributions as CSR at a Glance (Selective)
Conclusion: Into the Future
Selected Events/Activities (1904-2014)
Bibliography
Primary Sources
Archival Records
Newspapers
Interviews
Secondary Sources
141
142
142
143
144
144
145
145
146
146
146
147
147
148
148
150
150
150
150
151
151
152
153
154
157
161
163
204
204
207
208
208
List of Appendix
Appendix 1
: Archival Documents (Original)
Appendix 2-5
: Archival Documents (Reproduced)
Appendix 8
: Names of Members of Sub-Committees 2014
Appendix 6
Appendix 7
Appendix 9
Appendix 10
Appendix 11
Appendix 12
Appendix 13
Appendix 14
Appendix 15
: List of Former Presidents with Names of Their Companies

: List of Chamber Committees (1949-2014)
Appendix 20
: Memorandum of Association
: Speech by Mr AK Fazlul Haq, Governor, East Pakistan (1958)
: Speech by Mr Abdul Monem Khan, Governor, East Pakistan (1963)
: MCCI, Dhaka: Ofice-bearers (2014)
232
240
241
244
249
250
251
252
: MCCI, Dhaka: Member List (September 30, 2014)
253
: Names and Addresses of the Chamber Subscribers in 1949/

Founding Members in the New Phase (1949)
266
: Memorandum of Understanding
281
: Selected Messages for the Chambers Diamond Jubilee

Celebration (1904-1979)
Appendix 24
: Newspaper Supplementary of Diamond Jubilee
Appendix 25
227
238
: Objectives of the Chember
Appendix 23
226
: Articles of Association
: Representatives (Phase Wise) to Various Committees and

Organisation
Appendix 21
Appendix 22
217
230
Appendix 16(3) : Licence (1959)

Appendix 19
215
: Alphabetic List of Honorary Secretaries/Assistant Secretaries/

Deputy Secretaries/Joint Secretaries/Secretaries/
Secretary-Generals
Appendix 16(2) : Certiicate of Incorporation (1959)

Appendix 18
211-214
: Sub-Committees (Year Wise)
Appendix 16(1) : Certiicate of Name Change (1979)

Appendix 17
210
: Press Releases (Selective)

: Credits
262
267
269
285
286
Chapter
Introduction
INTRODUCTION
The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) is a

non-political, non-proit-making organisation owned and directed by its members. This
Chamber was established as the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC) in 1904. It was
set up as a unique platform to inluence decision-makers and shape policy and to ensure
the best possible environment for business for its members. It is the pioneer chamber of
Bangladesh and was the irst modern chamber of its kind in Eastern Bengal and Assam
province. Thus, it can be said that the Metropolitan Chamber is the oldest and the
preeminent trade organisation of the eastern part of Bengal. Promoting Bangladesh as a
promising investment destination is a major focus area of the Chamber. The Chamber
concentrates on furthering business ties with the greater business world. Through the
Chambers policies, its membership, consisting of major companies, and its specialised
secretariat, MCCI is adapting to the constant changes in the global order and is moving
ahead purposefully to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Emergence of the Chamber: Background1
In the history of trade and commerce in Eastern Bengal, the Dhaka-Narayanganj area
has always played a major role. The trade and commercial importance of Wari-Bateshwar,
Sonargaon, Savar and Dhaka over the centuries testify to the crucial geographical location
1
The data and analysis followed for the background of emergence of the Chamber is largely based on the
research works by Kedarnath Majumdar, Dhakar Bibartan (in Bangla), Mymensingh, 1910; Thackers Indian
Directory, A Directory of the Chief Industries of India (The Fiftieth Issue of The Bengal Directory), Calcutta:
Thacker, Spink & Co., 1905-07, 1912; SG Panandikar, The Wealth and Welfare of the Bengal Delta, Calcutta:
University of Calcutta, 1926; CWE Cotton, Handbook of Commercial Information for India, 3rd edition, New
Delhi: Govt. of India, 1937; ML Khemka, A Study in the Industrial Development of Bengal, Calcutta: Marwari
Chamber of Commerce, 1944; Geoffrey W Tyson, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(1853-1953), A Centenary Survey, Calcutta: Bengal Chamber of Commerce & Industry, 1952; Sirajul Islam,
(ed), History of Bangladesh (1704-1971), Vol-2: Economic History, Dhaka: The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh,
2007; Chittabrata Palit, Growth of Commerce & Industry in Bengal, Calcutta: Bengal National Chamber of
Commerce & Industry, 1999; Studies in Indias Maritime Trade through the Ages, Kolkata: Institute of
Historical Studies, 2008; M. Mofakhkharul Islam and Firoz Mahmud (ed), 400 Years of Capital Dhaka and
Beyond: Economy and Culture, Vol-2, Dhaka: The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 2011.
14 MCCI : A Journey
of the area. Narayanganj, in particular, was one of the major trading centers in the Eastern
part of Bengal from antiquity because of its geophysical location. However, the
Dhaka-Narayanganj area emerged as a thriving commercial and industrial hub after the
Mughals shifted the capital of Bengal from Rajmahal to Dhaka. Narayanganj, the epicenter
for textile industries since the ancient and medieval times, became an important riverine
outlet to the Bay of Bengal in the 18th and 19th century. Since Eastern Bengal was a kind of
land-bridge between south and southeast Asia, Dhaka-Narayanganj gradually turned into
an important entrepreneurial centre for trade and commercial activities of these two
localities. The commercial opportunities and abundant resources of Dhaka-Narayanganj
presented lucrative options for foreign traders viewing the Eastern part of Bengal.
In the last two decades of the nineteenth century, in particular, Narayanganj emerged as
an important center for trading of raw jute. The Jute industry, which had started to grow from
the mid-ifties of the nineteenth century, became the second largest industry of India during
the First World War. The supply of nearly three-quarters of all raw jute came from the eastern
part of Bengal, though this region had inherited no industry at the time of the partition of
Bengal in 1905. Raw jute then was collected by beparies (middlemen traders) and brought to
Narayanganj to be packaged in jute baling presses. Till 1947, there were no jute
manufacturing industries in Narayanganj except pucca jute baling presses. But the situation
changed after the second partition of Bengal in 1947. In less than two decades, the number of
pucca presses in the region rose to 79, out of which 30 were located in Narayanganj. 20 large
jute mills were eventually established all over the country, 10 of which had been set up in
Dhaka and Narayanganj. With the establishment of the huge Adamjee Jute Mill (1951), the
irst factory of its kind, Narayanganj began to develop rapidly as an industrial as well as a
trading centre. Adamjee Jute Mill was set up by Mr Abdul Wahid Adamjee, a leading
industrialist and a member of one of the wealthiest families of (West) Pakistan.
Bengal witnessed a fascinating commercial phase as a number of chambers were

formed in this region at this time. Most countries in Asia had by the end of the 19th century
adopted the concept of chambers of commerce from western countries and had adapted it
to their local conditions. In fact, in the Indian sub-continent, British traders were the irst to
organize chambers of commerce. Subsequently, local trading and industrial communities
organised themselves into similar bodies. In the third decade of the nineteenth century,
European investment in India as well as in Bengal irst began to be patronized by the trade
associations, and chambers of commerce developed in the sub-continent from then on. The
Calcutta Chamber of Commerce (1833) and the Bengal Chamber of Commerce (1853) were
set up by the Europeans in this decade. Local merchants, however, had no access to these
bodies. But within two years of the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885,
indigenous merchants were able to establish a Chamber of Commerce of their own in 1887,
MCCI : A Journey 15
namely, the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce, where business organisations or

agents of Eastern Bengal were afiliated and became members.
In 1903, the partition of Bengal was proposed so that East Bengal and Assam could be
separated from Kolkata. This idea was a direct blow to the European business community
in the eastern part of Bengal, who had their business headquarters in Kolkata and who used
Kolkata port for export of goods. Chittagong port now became crucial for the new province.
Until this time, the eastern part of Bengal had been treated only as a hinterland of the
Kolkata metropolis and only as a source of supply of raw materials for the
Kolkata-Howrah-Hoogly industrial belt. The largest industry of this belt was jute, which
relied heavily on the supply of raw jute from East Bengal. With the creation of a new
province, it was imperative to have a new trade organisation for prompt export purposes in
this area. Until 1904, the Bengal Chamber and the Bengal National Chamber, both located in
Kolkata, were platforms where foreign and local businesses and irms from the eastern part
of Bengal could get memberships. After the formation of the Narayanganj Chamber of
Commerce (NCC) in 1904 and the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce (CCC) in 1906,
European businesses and irms of eastern Bengal joined these chambers. Some local
merchants of this area, however, continued to have afiliations with the Bengal National
Chamber as they could rarely access chambers made and constituted by Europeans.
The partition of Bengal in 1905, was one of the main factors behind the establishment
of a new chamber in the eastern part of Bengal, particularly around the new capital city of
Dhaka. On the eve of the partition of Bengal, European entrepreneurs of Narayanganj and
Dhaka established the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC), the predecessor of MCCI,
in 1904. In 1904, the Government established the Department of Industries to handle the
industrial and commercial growth of the province. In 1905, the province of East Bengal and
Assam began functioning. Lt Governor Sir Bamield Fuller oficially took over the charge of
the new province. In 1906, Chittagong was made an independent port of the new province.
Narayanganj was put under the jurisdiction of this port instead of Kolkata.
Though the annulment of Bengal partition in 1911 was a hindrance to the economic
growth of this region, the revival of the tea and jute markets and business marts in and
around Dhaka, and the emergence of Narayanganj as a substantial port city in Eastern Bengal,
conigured a new economic order. In the 1940s, a number of cottage industries, weaving
factories and cotton mills were established in East Bengal which added a further dimension
to the trade and commerce of the region. After 1949, indigenous merchants started taking
over and the Chamber entered an era of Nation Building. The historical evolution, activities
and contributions of the Chamber will be discussed elaborately in the following chapters.
16 MCCI : A Journey
Objectives, Vision and Mission

Over the years, the Chamber consistently pursued an objective approach to
socio-economic issues, which successive governments as well as the business community
and political leaders have appreciated. Becoming the leading voice and serving responsible
business is the Chambers Vision; and providing support to business in Bangladesh is the
principal mission of the Chamber.
The main objectives1a of the Metropolitan Chamber are: to (a) promote, advance and
protect trade, commerce and industry; (b) add, stimulate and promote the interests of
industry and business in matters of inland and foreign trade; (c) watch over, protect and
promote general commercial and industrial interests; and (d) secure and safeguard the
well-being and interests of persons engaged in trade, commerce and industry. There are
also various incidental objectives such as to establish a library, disseminate information,
publish periodicals and provide other relevant services for the development of business.
To face the challenges of the new millennium, the Metropolitan Chamber revisited its
vision and mission in 2012. A strategic planning session was held and after extensive
discussions, members unanimously agreed to a new Vision and Mission. A formal
launching ceremony of the Chambers Vision and Mission was held on 17 April 2012 at
Lake Shore Hotel in Gulshan. The revisited Vision and Mission of the Chamber are as
follows:
VISION
Be the leading voice serving responsible business

MISSION
Become the leading Chamber for providing research and analysis support related to
business in Bangladesh
Attract quality membership, representative of a cross-section of business
Effectively respond to the changing needs of our members
Enhance our capabilities through collaboration with local and international institutions
Engage and communicate regularly with our stakeholders
Recognize best practices that beneit business and society
The Metropolitan Chamber is thus seeking to provide services through which

commercial and industrial business will be assisted in their growth. It now aims to provide
1a
See the detail objectives of the Chamber in the Appendix 21.
MCCI : A Journey 17
members with a vision and focused leadership to enhance and promote the ongoing
ventures of the business community. The Chamber, of course, will continue to play a leading
role in inluencing the social, economic and business environment of Bangladesh in order
to create sustainable economic progress. In line with the objectives, vision and mission
mentioned above, members of the Metropolitan Chamber are entitled to the following
services and beneits:
New members can network with the leaders of over 300 member
companies who come from all sectors and represent most of the large
enterprises in Bangladesh including multinationals.
Members can rely on the Chamber's strong collective lobbying efforts on
their behalf.
Unparalleled access to major stakeholders through business meetings.
Participation in Chamber Committees and Project Groups that advance the

Chamber's national objectives.
Possibility of participating in the Chamber on key committees and boards

that are important to the countrys development.
New members are oficially welcomed in the monthly newsletter.
Opportunity for maximum promotion and exhibition of members' products

and services at Chamber events.
Opportunities to advertise in the Chamber's publications and on its website.

Discounted rates for conference and meeting room facilities at the Chamber.
Access to relevant local, regional and international business information.
Assistance to members in arranging one-on-one business meetings and

reciprocal meetings.
Possibility of participating and assisting in social programmes in which the

Chamber is involved.
Assistance with information and contacts that can guide businesses looking
to tap into regional markets.
Members looking to expand their reach beyond national borders can beneit
from relationships MCCI has with other Chambers of Commerce of the
world.
18 MCCI : A Journey
Chapter Organization
Based on source materials accessed from Chamber archives and the National Archives
of Bangladesh and India, this is an attempt at presenting a narrative history of the
Metropolitan Chamber. We have tried to make the book an appropriate record of the
Metropolitan Chamber that combines the qualities of a coffee-table book with that of a
well-researched history. The book is divided into the following chapters: Chapter 1:
Introduction - Emergence of the Chamber: background, objectives, visions, mission and
chapter organization; Chapter 2: Evolution of the Chamber - the different names of the
chamber and its evolution, the story also of how the chamber moved from Narayanganj to
Dhaka; Chapter 3: The Chamber Now: Organization - structure of the Chamber, ofice
bearers, the secretariat, the rights and privileges of members, subscription, members
eligibility and expulsion; Chapter 4: The Chamber Now: Functions - reviews, international
afiliations and representation functions of the Chamber, AGMs, publications,
communication development; Chapter 5: The Chamber and the Nation social and
humanitarian services rendered to the nation by the Chamber; Chapter 6: Conclusion - Into
the Future.
The irst chapter explores the emergence of the Chamber in 1904. This chapter is
divided into four sub-sections: reasons behind selecting Narayanganj to set up a chamber;
interests of the Bengal Government and the Chambers objectives, visions and mission.
To establish the historical perspective, we focus briely on the evolution of the

Chamber in the second chapter. The history of the Chamber, since inception to the present,
is narrated here. This chapter also discusses details various phases in the evolution of the
Chamber, the changes in its name, the shifting of the Chamber ofice from Narayanganj to
Dhaka, as well as the evolving status of the Chamber.
The third chapter deals with the organization of the Chamber. This chapter is divided
into several sub-sections. In these subsections, we will look at the structure of the Chamber
(ofice bearers and secretariat), eligibility for becoming a member, rights and privileges of
member companies, subscriptions and provision for expulsions.
In chapter four, we will throw light on the multidimensional functions of the Chamber.
Some of the functions briely discussed in this chapter include the regular review activities
on various important national and international issues, international connections,
representations of members of the Chamber in government and non-government bodies
since 1904, annual general meetings of the Chamber, activities of the publications and
research cell and communication services offered.
MCCI : A Journey 19
The ifth chapter explores the Chambers role in providing social and humanitarian
services to the nation over the years. The Chamber has contributed signiicantly to public
sectors like education, health and environment, over the decades, and this is the history
this chapter narrates.
Chapter six, titled Into the Future, includes concluding remarks on the Chambers
past, present and future.
Chapter
Evolution of the Chamber
EVOLUTION OF THE CHAMBER
Viewed in the light of history, one-hundred and ten years may not appear to be
a very long span of time. Indeed, history abounds with instances of institutions
which survived and lourished for longer periods. Yet, an organization which
has weathered vicissitudes for 110 years has learnt many lessons that can be of
signiicance not only to trade and industry but to a wider public. Metropolitan
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka is fortunate enough to be
such an organization.2
Mr CK Hyder3 expressed his feelings thus on the eve of the 110th anniversary of the
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka in an interview, held in April,
2014. He went on in the interview to say, I am overwhelmed by the thought that MCCI has
already gone through an eventful history of 110 years of service to trade, industry and the
nation, and I had the honour and privilege of having been associated with this premier
chamber of the Country for 44 years. I have witnessed many remarkable and fascinating
stages of the evolution of the Chamber.4
Mr Hyders words indicate that the growth of the Chamber has been continuous and
that it has come a long way in the course of its history. This chapter will focus briely on the
evolution of the Chmber, explore the various phases of its evolution and discuss the changes
in its name the shifting of the Chamber ofice from Narayanganj to Dhaka, as well as its
evolving status over time. In particular, we will focus on the many stages of the evolution of
the Chamber.
2
3
Interview of Mr CK Hyder, Former Secretary-General of MCCI, MCCI Ofice, Dhaka, 24 April 2014.
Popularly known as Mr CK Hyder. He joined the Chamber in 1965 and served till 1990 as its Secretary. He got
promoted and became the First Secretary-General of the Chamber in 1991. After completing 44 years of
services, Mr Hyder took retirement on 31 December, 2008 but continued his association with the Chamber
as Adviser to the Committee till 2011.
Interview of Mr CK Hyder.
22 MCCI : A Journey
Phases of the Evolution of the Chamber
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC)
1904 1950
Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DNCCI)
1952 1959
Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (DNCC)
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI)

1950 1952
1959 1979
1979 1999
2000Present
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC), 1904-50: The Chamber started its journey in
1904 as the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC), and continued to be known as such
till 1950; this, then, may be regarded as the irst phase of MCCIs evolution. The Committee
of the Chamber was composed then of 16 members, including the President, Vice-President
and Honorary Secretary.5 In 1949, the irst major re-organization of NCC was initiated by
some business irms that had been operating in and around Narayanganj and Dacca. They
intended to form a trade association under the Companies Act. As per the Memorandum
and Articles of Association, 1949,
We, the several persons whose names and addresses are subscribed, are
desirous of being formed into an association pursuance of the
Memorandum of Association: DP Fafallios (Merchant- Rally Brothers Ltd),
LK Nixon (Managing Director- R Sims & Co Ltd), G Allan (DirectorSonakhunda Baling Co Ltd), Arff Ismail GH (Agent- Bengal Assam Steamship
Co Ltd), SW Alexander (Manager- Ludlow Pakistan Co Ltd), KP Matthews
(Join Agent- IGN & RSN Co Ltd) and JA Coldwell (Manager- M Sarkies &
Son).6
This memorandum was signed on the 9th of May, 1949 and the witness was GP Henwood.7
Because of scanty source materials, a complete picture of the pre-partition structure

of the committee is not possible. Records of the Chamber at its initial stage are very few.
5
6
7
CWE Cotton, Handbook of Commercial Information for India, Third Edition, New Delhi: Government of India,
1937, p. 49.
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Dhaka: 2013, p. 5.
Ibid.
MCCI : A Journey 23
Annual reports, minutes and other documents, the main sources of chamber activities, are
not available. The lack of sources in the colonial era makes the task of reconstructing the
history of the irst phase of the Chamber extremely dificult. But it can be conjectured that
at the initial phase the Chamber had to deal with many tumultuous events. The Chamber,
for example, went through the turmoil of the partition of Bengal (1905), the Swadeshi
Movement (1903-08), the First World War (1914-19), the great economic depression of
1930s, the Second World War (1939-45), the Famine in Bengal (1943) and the political
turmoil surrounding partition in the 1940s. All these events had a signiicant impact on the
economy of Bengal and, consequently, on the history of the Chamber.
It can be assumed that the Chamber could not contribute much to trade and industry
till the partition of India (1947). In its initial phase (1904-50) it did not have many
members. The Chamber had possibly around 40 member-irms8 and followed the Bengal
Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in its activities and secretarial practices. The principal trade
of the region was concentrated on jute and was controlled by expatriate traders and
entrepreneurs. The major concern of the Chamber, in this phase, was to solve the problems
of member-irms. The problems faced by the native businessmen were not at all the
concern of the Chamber in the irst phase of its existence.
Some of the letters documenting exchanges between the Government of Bengal and
the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC) have been found in the Bangladesh National
Archives, the National Archives of India (Delhi) and West Bengal Secretariat Record Room
and these have been the main sources for reconstructing the irst phase of the Chambers
history. On the basis of the archival documents, it seems that in addition to its other
activities the Chamber used to comment regularly on various policies adopted by the
Commerce Department of the Bengal Government during that period. At this stage, the
Honorary Secretary of the NCC used to send comments and decisions of the Chamber
Committee to the Secretaries of the Bengal and India Government on various policies
initiated by these governments. The Chamber corresponded mainly with the Commerce,
Labour and Industries Departments of the government. Analyzing the policies taken by the
Government, chambers of commerce and industries often gave their feedback. This was a
regular practice and in most cases in this initial phase, NCC supported government
initiatives. On the one hand, the Chamber preferred or referred to the opinion or comments
sent by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce (BCC) to the government.9 On the other, in some
cases, they opposed the governments position.10
8
9
10
Minutes of the NCC, 23 May, 1950, pp. 28-29.
The Chamber forwarded its opinion to the Government of Bengal on A Bill to Amend the Indian Company
Act, 1913 by supporting the opinion given by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce (BNN) in 1914. See, A
Proceedings, Govt. of Bengal, Commerce Dept., Bangladesh National Archives, February 1914, File No. 4-A/7,
No. 40.
The Honorary Secretary of the Chamber, Mr AL Godden, opposed a decision taken by the Govt. on the issue
titled Proposal to Suppress the Adulteration of Indian Produce before Export, A Proceedings, Govt. of Bengal,
Commerce Dept., Bangladesh National Archives, March 1918, File No. 10-A/1, No. 14.
24 MCCI : A Journey
The Bengal Government had regular contacts with the Narayanganj Chamber of
Commerce. Scheme for the Registration of Property in British India Belonging to Enemies,
the United Kingdom Registration of Business Names Act 1916, Registration of Claims for
War Losses against Enemy Governments 1919, The Draft Indian Partnership Bill 1930,
Bengal Factories Rules 1935, and The Draft Revised Explosives Rules were some of the
Acts and policy matters that the Chamber had to deal with after being notiied to them.10a
Correspondence between the Government of Bengal (GOB) and the
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC), 1917
Source: A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Department, Bangladesh National Archives

October 17, 1917, File 10-A-1(5), No. 14.
In the inal years of the irst phase, the Chamber re-organized and amended its
Memorandum and Articles of Association; these subsequently became the guiding
principles for the Chamber. Seven businessmen subscribed to the Memorandum of
Association that was signed on 9 May, 1949.11
10a
11
Some of these correspondences are reproduced from the original sources which have been added in the
Appendices Section of the book. See Appendix 1 for an original letter and 2-5 for the reproduced letters.
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Dhaka, 2013, p. 5.
MCCI : A Journey 25
From its inception, the Chamber was known as the Narayanganj Chamber of
Commerce (NCC) until 1950, when the Chamber entered its second phase. It was renamed
as the Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (DNCC). Mr CK Hyder says about the irst
phase that
the evolution of the Metropolitan Chamber has been slow but gradual and
steady, following the historical process of the socio-economic development of a
region, and not through any abrupt revolution. This process can be traced out
in an easier way if it is seen in the perspective of the changing socio-economic
and political trends of the region and the country. 12
Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (DNCC), 1950-52: In the second phase of its

evolution and after the partition of India, the Chamber changed its name again. In 1950, the
Chamber Committee responded positively to a suggestion that the name of the Chamber
should be changed because of increasing trading activities. The Committee discussed the
issue of the name change at length and thought that it would encourage Dacca irms to join
the Chamber, assuming that the Government would agree to its decision to represent Dacca
as well as Narayanganj business.13 There was then no recognized trade association for
Dhaka irms, although by this time Dacca had become the capital of East Pakistan and had
enhanced its commercial and administrative status. In an Extraordinary General Meeting
held on 12 May 1950, a resolution was unanimously passed to modify the name of the
Chamber and include the word Dacca.14 With the change in name and the inclusion of
Dacca, businessmen from East Bengal started to get involved in the Chamber Committee
and take part in its activities.
In this phase, the Chamber had extensive dealings with the Jute Board and its work led
to an increase in the export of jute. The volume of work of the Chamber in this phase,
increased, and eventually the post of an Assistant Secretary was created. The Chamber, as
DNCC, survived for only two years. Because of the emergence of new industrial ventures in
the eastern part of Bengal, the Chamber was once again transformed in 1952.
The activities of the Chamber did not always go smoothly in the second phase of its
evolution. In 1951, for instance, the Chamber received an invitation from ILO to join a
conference in Geneva but the Pakistan Government did not allow DNCC to send any
delegates there.15 It was the beginning to be evident that the Pakistan government was
going to pose obstacles in the path of the business community of East Bengal.
12
13
14
15
Interview of Mr CK Hyder, MCCI, Dhaka, 24 April 2014.

Minutes of the DNCC, 31 January, 1950, P. 14.
Minutes of the DNCC, 12 May, 1950, P. 27.
Minutes of the DNCC, 10 December, 1951, p. 94 and 27 December, 1951, p. 92.
26 MCCI : A Journey
Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DNCCI), 1952-59: The third

phase of the evolution of the Chamber began with another name change. In order to deal
with the increasing tempo of industrialization in the eastern part of the Indian
Subcontinent, the Committee realized that the Chamber should be authorized by its
Constitution to deal with industrial as well as commercial matters. A proposal to change the
name of the Chamber to Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DNCCI)
was approved and the Committee notiied its members accordingly. It was considered
advisable to amend the constitution of the Chamber to provide for the addition of the word
Industry in the terms of reference of the Chamber.16 A special resolution to that effect was
therefore adopted at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Chamber held on 15 July
1952.17 A few other articles and clauses were also amended, after being proposed by AD
Boldy and seconded by NG Smith at the EGM. The meeting was chaired by the Chamber
President Mr RWN Ferguson.18
The High Court ruled that the Chambers Memorandum of Association could be
altered under Section 12 (2) of the Companies Act 1913. The courts approval was obtained
by an order dated 12 December 1952. The consent of the Government of Pakistan was
received in July 1953. The approval of the Government of East Bengal to this change in the
Chambers name was received towards the end of July 1954.19
The activities of the Chamber increased rapidly in this phase because of the increased
pace of industrialization in East Bengal. A large number of mills and factories were
established in the area around Dhaka and Narayanganj at this time. For the irst time, local
businessmen participated actively in chamber committees and sub-committees in this
phase of DNCCI.
Chamber membership was now opened to both government and non-government
bodies. The number of members of the Chamber also increased. 58 business-irms received
membership in 1954, the highest number in the DNCCI phase of MCCIs history.20 The
Chamber started to deal with matters relating to Law and Legislation, Import and Export,
Communications and Customs, Taxation, Arbitration, Licensing, Development, Finance etc.
There were now regular exchanges with politicians and civil servants. This close working
relationship produced beneicial results for the country. Merchants and industrialists were
inducted by government and were entrusted with nation-building tasks. The Chamber
16
17
18
19
20
Minutes of the DNCC, 15 July 1952, p. 140.

Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1954, p. 5.
Minutes of the DNCC, 15 July 1952, p. 140.
Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1954, pp. 5-6.
Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1954, pp. v-vi.
MCCI : A Journey 27
President, MM Ispahani, opined that it is to the credit of the business community that such
tasks, whether in the ield of Commerce or Banking or Industry, were performed with great
devotion and zeal.21 Mr Ispahani stressed that the mercantile community was held in high
esteem by the people and Government. People rejoiced when an industry, whether a Jute
Mill or a Cotton Mill, was established.22
1958, the last year of the third phase of the Chamber, was a year of considerable
progress. Local industries, particularly jute mills, were thriving and jute, the golden ibre,
was earning an increasing proportion of the Countrys foreign exchange. The Chamber, at
that time, worked very closely with the Pakistan Jute Association. Indeed, both shared the
same ofice in Narayanganj. The Government relied a great deal on the Chamber to resolve
trade and commercial problems, and received wise and unbiased advice from it. The
Chamber, by inclination and because of circumstances, had its roots in fundamental
regional pursuits and occupations, and members took a personal and experienced interest
in all aspects of agriculture, trade, commerce and industry.23
Nevertheless, every now and then, the Pakistan government continued to impede the
work of the mercantile community of East Bengal. For example, when, in 1955, a high-level
business delegation from India came to visit East Bengal the Chamber did not get
permission to meet the delegation because of the lack of support of the Pakistan
government.24
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), 1959-79: It was in the fourth
phase of the evolution of the Chamber that it became the leading voice of responsible
business in Bangladesh. This era is thus one of the most signiicant phases in the evolution of
the Chamber. In this phase, the Chamber was renamed again when the word Dacca was
removed. The Ministry of Commerce reallocated the jurisdiction of chambers. When the
Dacca Chamber of Commerce received government recognition, the issue of changing the
name of the Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry automatically received
special attention. When the Narayanganj Chamber applied to the government for recognition
the government responded by removing the word Narayanganj from the Narayanganj
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).25 The Chamber subsequently received
Government recognition and license from the Ministry of Commerce on April 1, 1959.26
21
22
23
24
25
26
Message by MM Ispahani, the Chamber President of 1955-56, Annual Report: 1978-79, Diamond Jubilee
Year (1904-79), p. 95.
Ibid.
Message by WR Longwill, the Chamber President of 1958, Annual Report: 1978-79, Diamond Jubilee Year
(1904-79), p. 96.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 12 July, 1955, pp. 83-84.
Daily Azad, 10 March 1959, p. 2.
License No. 3, Ministry of Commerce, Government of Pakistan, 16 March 1959.
28 MCCI : A Journey
The Chamber then, took steps to amend the Articles of Association according to the
requirements of the Government notiication. The Articles were amended in an
Extraordinary General Meeting of the Chamber held on 11 August 1959.27 The Chamber
President briely explained the objective of the meeting. He said, that the Memorandum and
Articles of the Association were amended in December in compliance with the government
notiication of 18 November 1958, regarding re-organization of the Chambers of

Commerce and Trade Associations. Certain Objections were raised by the Government, he
noted, and the Chamber was asked by it to further amend the Articles in the light of the
objections. The President noted that the Articles of Association were subsequently changed
as directed by the Government. 41 members attended the meeting, where the Special
Resolution was passed unanimously.28 The Chamber received a Certiication of
Incorporation under the Companies Act of 1913, on 8 October 1959, from the Registrar of
Joint Stock Companies of East Pakistan.29
The NCCI was transformed into an organization of exclusively local businessmen in
this phase. It now started to take an active part in developing the trade and commerce of the
then East Paistan under the leadership of mostly Bangali entrepreneurs. The Chamber now
earned high status for its members with its devotion, hard work and the integrity of
Committee members and member-irms.
The early years of the fourth phase were remarkable because of the many challenges
faced by the Chamber. In spite of dropping Dacca from the name, the existing members of
the Dhaka area remained enrolled with NCCI. The Chamber was afterwards recognized
under the Trade Organisation Ordinance, 1961. The Government further re-allocated its
jurisdiction, granting it the areas of Dacca-Narayanganj, Demra, Tongi and Tejgaon. But in
April 1962, The President of the NCCI contacted the President of the Dacca Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and came to an agreement with regard to the respective
jurisdictions of the two chambers. The Committee was of the view that Tangail and Tejgaon
should be under the jurisdiction of the Dacca Chamber of Commerce and Bhairab, Tongi,
Faridpur and Goalundo should be under the jurisdiction of the Narayanganj Chamber.30 The
total members of the Chamber, in this phase, was 139, whereas in the previous phase it was
only 58.
27
28
29
30
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1960, p. 27.

Annual Report of the NCCI, 1960, pp. 27-31.
Certiication of Incorporation, No.1305-E.P./34 of 1959-60.
Minutes of the NCCI, 12 April 1962, p. 526.
In an interview CK Hyder observed that,
MCCI : A Journey 29
the Chamber got new impetus after 1971 and it didnt look back from that time
onwards. The Chambers of Commerce and Industry now gained consultative
status and participated at the policy-making level with the Government, offering
it their research-based suggestions whenever appropriate. Mr Hyder went on to
say it was quite an achievement for a businessman or an organization to be
seated close to a Minister or a Secretary on policy formulation or
implementation in those days.31
In independent Bangladesh, the Chamber was given the opportunity to regularly

contribute its views and suggestions in the policy-making process of the trade, commerce
and industry of the Country. At the same time, it started playing a useful role to solve
problems of its member-irms and for their betterment. The experience of working with
the Bangladesh Government in this initial period and until 1974 was, however, not smooth.
The Chamber did not invite either the Minister of Commerce or of Industries to address
Chamber members from 1972 to 1974. The then President of the Chamber did not agree
with the economic views of the Government and claimed that he was fully supported by the
Chamber members in taking this stand. DCCI took full advantage of this unhappy
relationship between the Government and NCCI. Bangladesh was experiencing an
economic crisis, resulting from faulty distribution, erratic export performance, stagnation
in investment, labour indiscipline and an unsatisfactory law and order situation
situations almost inevitable in a just-born country. In spite of everything, NCCI continued
its efforts to reinforce the structural basis of the Bangladesh economy. Its representatives
attended meetings of the representative bodies of the Government, expressed their
opinions or views, and submitted suggestions for policy making. The Government would
also listen to the voices of the business community of the country and try to accommodate
their suggestions before taking decisions on economic issues.32
In the late 1970s, the Chambers connection with the wider world was accelerated
signiicantly. In 1976, two Chamber members visited Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and
Japan along with a government delegation to invite foreign investors to Bangladesh. This
practice continued in subsequent decades.
For their part, foreign delegates also started to visit Bangladesh and meet the
Chamber Committee. In 1977, Mr Claude Vidalain, Charge de Mission, French External
Trade Council, met members of the Chamber Committee and discussed possibilities of joint
collaboration in trade and commerce between Bangladesh and France.33
31
32
33
Interview of CK Hyder, MCCI, Dhaka, 24 April 2014.

Minutes of the NCCI, 17 May 1977, p. 1404.
30 MCCI : A Journey
The Chamber arranged a seminar on the Two Year Plan that was held at the
Chamber Building on 20 June 1978. The Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh,
requested the Chamber to arrange the seminar. Three papers on the Two Year Plan Private
Sector, Some Aspects of Financing and Domestic Resources Publication and Creation of
Job Opportunities and too much Dependence on on-going Projects were presented by the
Chamber members. In the meeting a number of important recommendations were made,
including creation of a separate cell for formulation of policy measures to help promote
private sector industries. The Planning Commission sent some of these recommendations
to the Ministry of Industries for its comments.
Diamond Jubilee Celebration of NCCI. Source: The Bangladesh Observer, 21 June, 1979
The biggest event arranged by the Chamber in this phase was the celebration of its
Diamond Jubilee on 20 June 1979. The NCCI decided to commemorate its glorious completion
of 75 years in style. The Chamber invited many dignitaries of the country such as the ministers
of Finance, Commerce and Industries, secretaries of relevant departments, academics,
ambassadors of major countries, industrial leaders and other distinguished persons, who
responded cordially to its invitation and joined the occasion. This event was a great success
and appreciated by all. A Diamond Jubilee Celebration Publication was also produced by the
Chamber to everyones satisfaction. Four national daily newspapers published supplements
on this occasion, illed with articles and messages. See Appendix 24.
MCCI : A Journey 31
The Chamber in 1971: The fourth phase of the evolution of the Chamber was especially
signiicant because the Chamber witnessed the Liberation War of Bangladesh during this
time. It was a unique and glorious time in the history of the Chamber.
1971 was the most dificult period the Chamber had to face in its 110 years of history.
The Chamber played a signiicant role in the Liberation War of Bangladesh, though it did so
covertly. It offered whole-hearted support for the cause of the freedom movement. Mr CK
Hyder recalls, for example,
... the night of March 26, 1971, when we hoisted the lag of Bangladesh at the
rooftop of the Chamber building; we donated money, food and extended our
support to the freedom ighters who came to us during the liberation war. For
the security of the Chamber and the country, we had to destroy some important
documents so that the Pakistani government could not have access to these. We
secretly gave our suggestions and supported the formulation of the new
government. After the Liberation War, we regularly expressed our opinions,
views and suggestions through well-researched papers on various policy
matters.34
Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, the former President of the Chamber, says that
the Chamber deinitely played an important role during the Great Liberation
War. During the Liberation War, one of our former Presidents Mr A Ahad
disappeared forever. When the non-cooperation movement was going on, the
Chamber supported the move of not paying any tax to the Government of
Pakistan. In this way, the Chamber supported the freedom movement under the
leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.35
From March 25, 1971, the communication systems of the Country completely broke
down. The Chamber Committee was then asked by the Martial Law authorities to resume
its courier services between Dacca and Chittagong and Dacca and Khulna. In a meeting held
in April 1971, the President of the Chamber informed members that the Insurance
Association of Pakistan had decided not to cover the losses or damage to properties
suffered after March 25, 1971, in the wake of military operations in the province. The
Committee agreed that the matter should be taken up with the Government and the
Insurance Association of Pakistan as well as local Martial Law authorities and inancial
institutions like IDBP, NIT, ICP etc.36 At a subsequent meeting, the President of the Chamber
34
35
36
Interview of CK Hyder, MCCI, Dhaka, 24 April 2014.

Interview of Anis Ud Dowla, Former President of the MCCI, Dhaka, MCCI Ofice, 11 May 2014.
32 MCCI : A Journey
pointed out that he had spoken to Mr VA Jafri, CSP, the Secretary, Ministry of Commerce,
Government of Pakistan, and urged him to impress on the Government that the Insurance
Association of Pakistan should be made to accept losses due to the recent disturbances,
payable under the Riot and Strike Damage clause. One member mentioned in the meeting
that Insurance companies were not covering risks under Civil Commotion or risk of
Damage by Miscreants. The Committee decided that this was a serious matter since losses
could run into hundreds of thousands of rupees. It was decided that a telegram should be
sent to the Ministry of Commerce asking it to make arrangements immediately for such
coverage through the Pakistan Insurance Corporation.37
The Chamber Committee held an emergency meeting on 12 March 1971 that was
chaired by the then President Mr A Qayyum and attended by Mr Nawab K Hasan Askari, Mr
Mohammad Bhai, Mr SM Doja, Mr R Grant, Mr AA Kahlon, Mr Y Amanullah Khan, Mr WR
Longwill, Mr CM Murshed, Mr Md Saifur Rahman and Mr Rashid Ahmed. The President
welcomed members to the meeting of the Committee and went on to say that:
it had been the practice with Narayanganj Chamber to avoid involvement

in political movement of any nature but since the present movement is no
longer a political movement and as it has become a peoples movement, it
would be advisable for the business community to identify themselves with
the current movement under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. The
Committee unanimously agreed with this view. The Committee then resolved
that a telegram be sent to the President of Pakistan urging him to accept the
demands of Shiekh Mujibur Rahman without any further delay and thus save
the country. The Committee approved the draft of the telegram, placed before
it by the President.38
At the same meeting, the Chamber Committee decided to donate Rs 10,000 to the East
Pakistan Awami League Relief Fund in response to an appeal from Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
It also discussed various dificulties being faced in trade, commerce, and industry and
decided to set up a sub-committee to deal with these matters.39
On August 2, 1971, the Vice-President of the Chamber wrote a letter to the President
informing him that the Central Peace Committee had approached him for donations. The
President replied that though the Peace Committees were doing good work and deserved
37
38
39
Minutes of the NCCI, 10 June 1971, p. 997.

Minutes of the NCCI, 12 March 1971, p. 985.
Ibid.
MCCI : A Journey 33
support ... in view of the deteriorated economic conditions it may not be possible for
member-irms to donate to it. In this very tactful manner the Chamber successfully evaded
donating money to the so-called Peace Committees set up by collaborators of the
Pakistani army.40
The pressure for donations to the ruling party of Pakistan became ever stronger at
this time. In a meeting on December 10, the Chamber President said that there had been
considerable pressure by the Administration for donations to the Governors Defense
Fund. The President said that he had tried to resist the pressure for some time but it
seemed now that any further show of indifference would be misconstrued. The Committee
circulated the request of the donation to its members without giving any indication of the
amount to be donated so that members could take their own decisions. However, the
Chamber Committee decided that they should make no contribution of its own.41
After December 16, 1971, the Chamber went back to work immediately to reconstruct
the socio-economic foundation of Bangladesh. On December 22, 1971, a meeting was held
to welcome the new government of independent Bangladesh. The Chamber pledged its
whole-hearted support to the government in its task of building a prosperous country free
from all exploitation. The Committee of the Chamber congratulated the Mukti Bahini and
expressed its gratitude for the service it had rendered to the nation. The meeting
demanded the immediate release of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman. The meeting condemned the inhuman massacre of intellectuals and demanded an
enquiry into the matter. It sympathized with the bereaved families and prayed for the
eternal peace of the departed souls. The meeting directed the Secretariat to publish a
suitable message in all newspapers.42
At a meeting on December 29, 1971, the Chamber decided to send a representation to
the government with a number of suggestions. These suggestions were directed at allowing
commercial, industrial irms and companies and trade organizations the right of waiver
from the requirement of obtaining prior approval from Bangladesh Bank and also
withdrawal of restrictions as far as possible.43
At a meeting on 5 January, 1972, the Committee decided that it would be better if the
government promulgated an Ordinance superseding the requirements of the Companies
Act for the purpose of substituting the word Bangladesh for Pakistan or East Pakistan.44
Minutes of the NCCI, 2 August 1971, p. 999.
Minutes of the NCCI, 10 December 1971, p. 1113.
42
43
44
40
41
34 MCCI : A Journey
Mr Kamruddin Ahmad, President NCCI from 1972 to 74, is quoted to have said: On 16
December 1971 Pakistan Armed Forces surrendered and War of Liberation came to an end.
Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign Peoples Republic but I was still in the custody of the
Pakistan Army. The Jail Gate was opened on the 17 December by the Mukti Bahini and I
came out as a free citizen of a newly independent state I became the President of NCCI
and had to continue for three consecutive years, the longest period one is allowed under
the Chamber constitution to hold that post.45
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI), 1979-1999: The ifth
phase of the evolution of the Chamber was perhaps the most important phase in its long
history. With a legacy of 75 years of history, the Chamber entered this dynamic phase by
calling itself, the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI for the
irst time). The renaming of the Chamber occurred at the Diamond Jubilee Celebration in
1979. It was according to the requirements of the Government that the Chamber had to
change its name once again. Now that it had become MCCI, the Chamber came out from a
restrictive geographical jurisdiction and most leading companies of the country became its
members. Any trade group or company could become a member of any chamber across the
country. The Chamber tactfully negotiated the challenges arising from this change under
the leadership of the then Chamber President, Mr Anis Ud Dowla and the then Secretary Mr
CK Hyder. As the Narayanganj Chamber was the leading chamber of the Country, the
jurisdictional case became a big issue at this time. The Chamber ofice had already been
shifted to Dhaka from Narayanganj. It was at this juncture, that the Chamber approached
the government to help it solve the issue of jurisdiction.
The Chamber Committee worked hard at resolving the situation and on its advice the
Ministry of Commerce eventually issued an order approving the change of the Chambers
name from Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) to Metropolitan
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dacca (MCCI, Dacca), subject to the conditions that (a)
the existing area of operations would remain unchanged; (b) none of the existing members
of the Dacca Chamber of Commerce and Industry would be enlisted as members without
prior agreement of the Dacca Chamber; and (c) representations would not be sought in any
advisory bodies where Dacca Chamber of Commerce was represented at the expense of the
latter.46
Following the governments approval, the Committee organized an Extraordinary

General Meeting of the Chamber on 20 December 1979. The meeting unanimously adopted
the new name and the formal certiicate of the change of name from Narayanganj Chamber
45
46
Message of Kamruddin Ahmad, Annual Report of 1978-79, Diamond Jubilee Year (1904-1979), p. 100.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dacca, 1980, p. 41.
MCCI : A Journey 35
of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) to Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry

(MCCI) was accepted unanimously on 21 December 1979.47
In an interview, Mr Anis Ud Dowla, the then President of the Chamber, recalled the
history of the renaming of the Chamber as MCCI as follows:
... After long negotiation with the government as well as the Dacca
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Chamber established its
co-jurisdiction. The existing jurisdiction of the Chamber remained the
same and we all came to a Gentlemans Agreement with the Dacca
Chamber in relation to enrolment of member-irms. Both chambers dealt
with the matter with due care and gave it special attention. Mr CK Hyder,
Secretary of NCCI, then played a signiicant role in choosing the word
Metropolitan for us. In a meeting of the NCCI Committee members, the
word Metropolitan was chosen after a long discussion. We opted for the
word Metropolitan because of strategic reasons. As it was not conined to
any speciic area, existing member-irms could easily keep their
association with the Chamber. The Dhaka Chamber also didnt raise any
objections to the new name. It was thus that after celebrating its Diamond
Jubilee, the Chamber entered into a new phase as MCCI, Dhaka, from 21
48
December, 1979.
The 1970s can be termed as the Golden Period for the Chamber and at the same time
can be seen as the transitional period for trade, commerce and industries in Bangladesh. In
this decade, privatization and denationalization of the industries took place at a brisk pace.
The process of privatization was initiated by the government but the Chamber played a key
role by submitting a well-researched paper on this issue.49
In course of time, MCCI became the most noted chamber of the country. More and
more irms became its members. Most leading businesses and irms opted to join the
Chamber. The total number of members of the Chamber, in this phase, amounted to 279,
whereas in the previous phase it was only 139.
In collaboration with the National Press Club, the Chamber organized a two-day
seminar entitled Policy Options for Economic Break-through in May 1992, at the
Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. The Seminar was inaugurated by the Prime Minister and
47
48
49
Ibid. The Certiication of Incorporation, Issue No.1220, Ofice of the Register of the Companies, Ministry of
Commerce, Government of Bangladesh, 21 December, 1979.
Interview of Anis Ud Dowla, MCCI, Dhaka, 11 May 2014.
Interview of Anis Ud Dowla, 11 May 2014.
36 MCCI : A Journey
addressed by the Finance Minister and the Minister of Planning. The Leader of the
Opposition joined the closing ceremony and a large number of MPs, diplomats, journalists,
economic and social thinkers, and political and trade union leaders participated in the
discussions.50
Sheikh Hasina, MP, Honble Leader of the Opposition and President of Bangladesh Awami League
addressing the national seminar on Policy Options for Economic Breakthrough on 11 May, 1992
50
Begum Khaleda Zia, MP, Honble Prime Minister, inaugurating the national seminar on
Policy Options for Economic Breakthrough on 10 May, 1992.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 1992, p. 33
MCCI : A Journey 37
MCCI took an active part in assisting the government in its policy making and put
forward its suggestions to that effect. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Chamber participated in
most nationally or internationally important issues connected to the development of trade
and commerce and came up with its opinions or suggestions. The Chamber became much
more responsive to the needs of the people of Bangladesh in this phase. It began issuing
public statements or press releases on signiicant events to convey its concerns on key
business issues. Some of the core activities of the MCCI, in this phase, included regular
correspondence on trade and commerce-related issues with national and international
trade bodies and government and non-government bodies, and signing MoUs with globally
recognized chambers and attracting foreign investors.
Mr Jean-Pierre Goyer (3rd from left), Leader of the Canadian Businessmens Team accompanying
the Prime Minister of Canada addressing the members of the MCCI, Dacca on 21 Nov, 1983
This phase may be termed as the preparatory stage for the next phase of the Chamber
when it would have to face the upcoming challenges of the new millennium. The Chamber
thus commented on two important documents of the Planning Commission Thoughts on
the Third Five Year Plan (1985-1990) and Thoughts about the Perspective Plan. Chamber
members were included in nearly all the panels of experts of the Planning Commission
formed to offer recommendations on different issues to be covered by the Third Five-Year
Plan.51
51
38 MCCI : A Journey
Since the 1980s, the Chamber has submitted proposals to the government on National
Budgets, Export-Import policies and Enhancement of Power Tariff.52 In 1984, the Chamber
became afiliated with the International Chamber of Commerce (Paris) and joined the ICC.53
The Bangladesh-Malaysia Joint Economic Committee met the members of the Chamber to
discuss the possibilities of increasing trade and business between these two countries.54
In 1988, the then Prime Minister of Bangladesh called on the Chamber Committee and
discussed the strategy to be adopted for doubling the Countrys exports by 1990. The
Chamber Committee subsequently provided its suggestions on this issue.55
International exchanges of the Chamber continued on a regular basis. A 10 member
delegation of the Chamber, for instance, visited Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and the
Peoples Republic of China from 5 to 25 October, 1989. In the course of these visits, the
Chamber delegation met trade bodies, ministers and business personalities to discuss
issues concerning industrialization, export promotion, possibilities of trade and commerce

affording mutual beneits, ports and shipping services, and other relevant matters.56
Meetings of the Chamber with heads of political parties were important and useful as
the exchange of views with them facilitated discussion on relevant provisions relating to
trade and industry in their respective election manifestos. The Chamber offered its views
and suggestions towards making their election manifestos trade and commerce-friendly .57
The Chamber maintains regular contacts with business delegations from overseas.
The Chamber also has regular contacts with ambassadors and high commissioners of
various countries to Bangladesh to extend business and trade activities across the Country.
Chamber Delegations have visited various countries at regular intervals. On 1 January

1992, an eleven member delegation of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(BCCI), Calcutta visited MCCI. This visit was important in establishing joint venture projects
of BCCI in Bangladesh. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between MCCI
and BCCI envisaging industrial cooperation between India and Bangladesh. The scope of
52
53
54
55
56
57
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dacca, 1984, p. 33; Annual Report of the MCCI, Dacca, 1985, p. 29.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka, 1988, p. 34.
The Chamber Committee reviewed the outcome of the meetings with the Acting President of the country and
the chiefs of 8-Party and 7-Party Alliances. Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 1991, p. 35.
MCCI : A Journey 39
collaboration for a large number of industries was created as a result of the Chambers
active role in promoting trade and industry in Bangladesh.58 This MoU signing event
remains a milestone in the history of the evolution of the Chamber.
58
Detail of the Original document of the MoU between MCCI and BCCI is added in
the Appendices Section. See Appendix 23.
40 MCCI : A Journey
In 1993, the Chamber came up with a number of proposals for the government on
Import Policy Order and the Three Years Export Policy, 1993-96. This was also the irst
time, that the Chamber issued review proposals in Bangla. The Chamber scrutinized the
original policy drafted by the Government and pointed out loopholes in it. The arguments
it came up with were highly appreciated by concerned bodies.59
The credibility of the Chamber, as far as the Government was concerned, gathered
momentum in this phase when the Chambers proposal to the Prime Minister entitled
Economic Agenda of the New Government was received with much appreciation and given
high importance. The proposal was handed over to the Prime Minister on 25 July, 1996,60 as
soon as the new government, formed under the leadership of Awami League President
Sheikh Hasina, came to power.
In this phase the importance of the Chamber continued to increase. A Joint Task Force,
formed in 1994, between the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the Metropolitan
Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) Joint Task Force, handed over its report on
improving business ties to the Prime Ministers of Bangladesh and India on 6 January, 1997,
during the visit to Dhaka of the Indian Prime Minister, Mr Deve Gowda. Later, the CII-MCCI
Joint Task Force was renamed as the CII-MCCI Joint Economic Council. It is a body which
continues to review the trade and economic relationships between the two countries.61
In the inal years of the ifth phase of its history, the Chamber continued to forge
strong international connections. Dr Joseph Stiglitz, Chief Economist and Senior Vice
President of the World Bank, visited the Chamber and met with Committee members to
discuss economic issues on March 15, 1999.62 The Chamber extended host facilities to a
Taiwan Turnkey, Engineering & Electronic Trade Mission from 8 to 9 April 1999. Missions
of the European Union met members of the Chamber Committee on April 11, 1999, to
discuss prospects of trade and commerce. A delegation from the Chamber visited Singapore
to attend a seminar on business opportunities in Bangladesh, on 14 July 1999, organized by
the Chamber jointly with the Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore, Singapore
Confederation of Industries and Singapore Trade Development.63 A 15-member Trade and
Investment delegation from Singapore met members of MCCI on October 12, 1999.64 These
are but a few examples that demonstrate the links that MCCI has been creating with the
outside world.
59
60
61
62
63
64
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka, 1993, pp. 51-63.

Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka, 1996-97, p. 30.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka, 1996-97, p. 34.
MCCI : A Journey 41
The Chambers role in the trade and industry of Bangladesh as well and its economic
development during the last two decades of the 20th century has been remarkable. It has
been adopting pragmatic policies at home and has been reaching out externally. The
Chamber, in other words, has prepared itself, in this phase, to meet the challenges of the
new millennium.
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI), 2000-Present: Since
2000, the Chamber has been facing a world whose economy has become entirely different
from the past. In this new millennium, the role of the Chamber in the economic sector has
developed signiicantly as it emerged as the leading voice of the business community of
Bangladesh. The Chamber is having to deal with the impact of globalization and has had to
reshape itself vigourously to adapt to it.
Because of intense global competition and the increasing liberalization of trade,

MCCIs role has had to change to enable it to cope with the changing environment. MCCI has
had to operate much more eficiently and effectively than before in order to tackle
distinctive and complex challenges. The rapid growth of the market economy demanded
development of different institutions, procedures, laws, means of production, attitudes,
and public awareness. The processes related to a market economy and liberalization has
made enormous demands on the Chamber.
The private sector of the country has had to strengthen itself in this changing
situation. It has had to work on a cooperative basis in policy formulation and
implementation. As an institution seeking to undertake and perform new tasks for business
and industry, the Chamber has transformed itself accordingly.
In addition to its regular activities, the Chamber has been focusing on environmental
issues. The Chamber Committee joined the Environmental Management Program in 2000,
expressing its concern over the issue in a meeting at the World Banks Dhaka Ofice.65 The
impact of climate change a critical issue for many countries, including Bangladesh has
been taken seriously by the Chamber. It organized a discussion meeting on 25 August in
2010, entitled Climate Change and Business Opportunities where members present
exchanged their views on the subject.66 The Chamber Committee also felt the need to express
its solidarity with the business community and associate itself with other trade bodies and
organizations of Bangladesh in the Clean Rivers campaign.67 MCCI has introduced annual
65
66
67

42 MCCI : A Journey
awards on Environmental Issues which has been hailed as an outstanding initiative by

many.68
The Chamber has continued to develop its international connections and has made
more commitments and forged new links in this phase. From the outset of the 21st century,
more and more trade delegations have been visiting Bangladesh from all over the world.
Chamber delegations have also been visiting different countries regularly to ensure
broader marketing and trade facilities for Bangladesh.
The Joint Economic Council (JEC) of the Confederation of Indian Industry and MCCI
held its second meeting on 23 February, 2000 and discussed various aspects of
Indo-Bangladesh co-operation on trade and industry.69 This meeting was especially
arranged to discuss a comprehensive list of issues. Participants on this occasion were twice
the number that attended the previous meeting.
The Chamber organized a two-day visit of a forty-member trade delegation from Sri
Lanka-Bangladesh Business Council (SLBBC), Colombo, in March, 2000, which explored
business and investment prospects in Bangladesh.70
The President and Secretary-General of the Chamber met Mr Jan Axel Voss, Deputy
Head of Mission of the German Embassy in Bangladesh, on 6 July, 2000, and discussed
issues of bilateral interest. The Chamber, jointly with Save the Children, UK, sponsored the
launching ceremony of Big Business, Small Hands: Responsible Approaches to Child Labor, on
21 November, 2000. Princess Anne of the United Kingdom graced the occasion.71 The
Chamber organized a half-day discussion meeting on the World Trade Organization (WTO)
and issues arising from its decision to phase out tariff and non-tariff barriers by January 1,
2005. Mr Muchkund Dubey, former Permanent Representative of India to the WTO, was the
guest speaker on this occasion.72
In the irst decade of the 21st century, the Chamber conducted a series of noteworthy
meetings with world famous trade bodies and personalities. It held a discussion meeting
with the visiting President of the Japanese Commerce and Industry Association and the
JETRO representative at the MCCI ofice. The Chamber hosted a luncheon meeting in
honour of Donald C Mckinnon, Commonwealth Secretary General, at the MCCI ofice. It held
a meeting with Mr Nicholas Stern, Chief Economist and Senior Vice-President of the World
68
69
70
71
72

MCCI : A Journey 43
Bank, Washington DC in the Chamber Ofice on 8 January 2002. A meeting with the US
ambassador was held on 24 September 2003.73 Lord Swaraj Paul, a member of the British
House of Lords, held a meeting with the members of the Chamber on 8 October 2003. A
Thai trade delegation headed by Mr Prachuab Chaiyasan also met members of the MCCI.
The Chamber held a discussion and dinner meeting with the Singapore Prime Minister, Mr
Goh Chok Tong at a city hotel on 24 June 2004.74 A German Business Mission visited
Bangladesh from 19 to 26 May, 2006. The visit was organized by the German Asia-Paciic
Business Association and was sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics &
Technology, Germany. The delegation visited the Chamber on 22 May 2006 and exchanged
views with members. Both parties emphasized the importance of more mutual
cooperation. Chamber members highlighted the favourable investment climate existing in
the country. The German team expressed keen interest in investing in textiles and other
sectors in Bangladesh.75 The Chamber was a partner of the multi-country match-making
project, South Europe Meets South Asia 2009, funded by the European Commission. The
Chamber Secretariat successfully disseminated the purpose and beneit of the project to
target groups of the Information Technology and Food Processing sub-sectors in
Bangladesh.76
A team of experts from the World Bank paid a visit to the Chamber on 14 June, 2009,
to hold a pre-consultation meeting with leaders of the private sector to get the views of the
business community on what the goals, objectives and strategy of the World Banks
Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for the upcoming 2010-2013 period could be.77
Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed between MCCI and many other
chambers and trade bodies across the world. For example, an MoU was signed between
MCCI and two Australian trade bodies in 2004.78 Later that year, an MoU was signed
between MCCI and the Confederation of Nepalese Industries.79 Similar documents for
promotion of business and trade and economic activities between Bangladesh and China
were signed in December 2005 between the Chamber and the Yunnan Provincial Chamber
of Commerce and Yunnan Fijian Chamber of Commerce, China.80 Other MoUs were also
signed where the Chamber played the leading role in promoting commercial growth and
economic development.
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80

http://www.mccibd.org/chamber_events.php
44 MCCI : A Journey
Chamber members have visited numerous places across the world to build trade and
business relations with other countries. For instance, a 10-member delegation visited
Yunnan Province, Peoples Republic of China, from 10 to 17 December, 2005 at the
invitation of the Vice Governor, Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan Province.81 The Chambers
former President, Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, and its Secretary-General, Mr CK Hyder,
participated at the 7th International Conference on Corporate Governance held in London
on 11-12 May 2006.
The Chamber participated in the Investment Seminar on Bangladesh held in
Singapore on 23 February, 2010. The Board of Investment of the Bangladesh Government
and Singapore Business Federation jointly organized the seminar to mobilize foreign
investment in Bangladesh. The Chamber President, Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, presented the
keynote paper, entitled Key Sectors and Projects for Investment on Private-Public
Partnership Basis.82
A Chamber delegation consisting of its President, Vice-President, two former

Presidents and the Secretary-General participated in the Partnership Summit 2006
organized jointly by the CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) and the Government of West
Bengal in Kolkata from January 18 20, 2006. The Chamber took part in a high-level
Asia-Paciic Policy Dialogue for LDCs held in Dhaka from 18 to 20 January, 2010. In his
presentation at this event, the Chamber President highlighted the need for time-bound
programs on poverty reduction, improvement of health, sanitation, safe water, primary
education, skills and ICT development. In addition, the President emphasized the
importance of dealing with two emerging issues, viz., effects of climate change and the need
for updated information and data management systems.83
In addition to delegations from Europe, America and Asia, a few African delegations
have also visited the Chamber to promote trade relations. A delegation from the African
Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), led by Mr KY Amaoko, former UN Under
Secretary-General of Economic Commission for Africa, visited the Chamber on 27 March,
2010. A lively discussion was held then on common challenges faced by Least Developed
Countries (LDC), possible areas of cooperation, and trade expansion between African
countries and Bangladesh. The ACET delegation expressed its keen interest in linking South
Asia with Africa through business and investment partnerships, and shared development
experiences. The delegation agreed that there are enormous opportunities to promote
trade and economic cooperation between Africa and Bangladesh.84
81
82
83
84
Ibid.
MCCI : A Journey 45
In this phase of its evolution, the Chamber also focused on internal issues. The
Chamber arranged a seminar with the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport on
Trafic Congestion and its Impact on Business: Some Remedial Measures on 21 July, 2010
at the Chamber Conference Hall. The summary of the discussions at the seminar was sent
to all concerned ministries and departments.85
Chamber members continued to have meetings with very high government members
including the Prime Minister, Ministers, the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue,
and other high-ranking oficials, to discuss important national issues and subjects related
to trade and commerce. The Chamber also held meetings with Advisors during the
Caretaker Government regime. Chamber members met the Governor of Bangladesh Bank
on a number of occasions to discuss national, economic, and inancial issues. The
Chambers meetings with various trade bodies of the country for the promotion of trade
and economic development was also part of its regular activities.
The global economic recession was perceived as a threat for all economies at the
beginning of the 21st century. The Chamber had to contend with this phenomenon and
strove to lessen the impact of the crisis on Bangladesh. It carried out a survey among its
member irms to assess the impact of the crisis on the Bangladesh economy and discussed
measures needed to tackle the situation.86
The Chamber organized a high-proile discussion session entitled Asia 2050 and
Bangladesh on 26 May, 2011 at the Westin Hotel, Dhaka, to discuss future growth prospects
of Bangladesh in the context of a report published by the Asian Development Bank (ADB)
entitled Asia 2050: Realizing the Asian Century. Dr Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh
Bank, was the keynote speaker, and Dr Gowher Rizvi, Adviser to the Honorable Prime
Minister on International Affairs, was present as the Chief Guest. Eminent citizens of the
country, including leaders of the business community, past presidents of the Chamber,
presidents and chairmen of major trade bodies, diplomats, economists, and media
personnel were present on the occasion.87
To face the challenges of the new millennium, the Metropolitan Chamber of

Commerce and Industry has reconceptualized its Vision and Mission. A strategic
planning session was held on 11 February 2012 at Coxs Bazar for this purpose. After a
daylong discussion, members adopted an updated Vision and Mission statement.88 It
was decided that the goals set out in the the reformulated Mission would be realized
85
86
87
88

46 MCCI : A Journey
within a span of ive years. A formal launching ceremony of the Chambers Vision &
Mission was held on 17 April 2012 at Lake Shore Hotel in Gulshan. All members of MCCI
and some distinguished personalities from the business community and academics, as well
as journalists, were invited to the event.89
The preceding section has traced the evolution of the Metropolitan Chamber to its
millennium phase. In this phase, Chamber activities increased signiicantly. The
commitment made by the Chamber to the business community and the nations economy is
in line with its status as the premier Chamber of Bangladesh. It has set an example for other
chambers of commerce to emulate.
Chamber Building at Motijheel: After Moving from Narayanganj to Dhaka
89
MCCI : A Journey 47
The Move from Narayanganj to Dhaka: The Chamber Secretariat was located in
Narayanganj for a long time. MCCI moved its Secretariat ofice to Dhaka in the 1960s. The
story of the move from Narayanganj to Dhaka is an integral part of the history of the
evolution of the Chamber.
In 1950, the plan for a new chamber building, submitted by architects, Messrs.
Ballardie, Thompson and Mathews, was approved by the Committee with a few alterations.
The architects were instructed to prepare the design and call for tenders.90 On March 10,
1953, the Chamber purchased a plot on Henderson Road, Narayanganj. The Chamber paid
Rs 10,000 as advance to the land owner, Mr Hira Lal Paul. As soon as the deed was
registered, the Secretary was instructed to commence constructing walls around the plot.91
In 1952-53, an ad-hoc Development Sub-Committee was set up to examine how the

Chamber could best utilize its funds through development of its properties. After
examining the options, the Sub-Committee came to the conclusion that because of high
costs and shortage of supply of materials at that time, it would not be advantageous to
undertake any building program there. The sub-committee felt that instead a building,
already built in Dacca and generating a steady income from rents, might be purchased, if
available at an attractive price.92
The old Chamber Building (Zuriel Lodge) was partitioned in 1954, in order to provide
separate premises for Jute and Gunny Room and the Stock Exchange.93 It was decided in one
Committee meeting that the section of the Lodge building which had been partitioned off
would be rented out to a member irm. An arrangement was made to leave half of the
Chamber Building to Louis Dreyfus & Co Ltd.
From 15 December 1956, this member continued to occupy a portion of the building.
The Secretary now moved his residence to Dhaka in accordance with the decision of the
Committee. As a result, the irst loor remained vacant and was rented to Landale & Morgan
(Pakistan) Ltd. for a period of three years from June 1, 1956.94 The Committee also decided
that the building at Henderson Road, Narayanganj, would be turned into a residential
colony for member irms employees. Gammon & Co (Pakistan) Ltd., a member irm, was
requested to inspect the Chambers Henderson Road land and submit a report on its
condition. Meanwhile, Omar Sons made an offer to sell their Motijheel Building to the
90
91
92
93
94
Minutes of the NCC, 3 January 1950, p. 7.

Minutes of the DNCCI, 24 March 1953, p. 196.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1 November 1955, p. 100.
48 MCCI : A Journey
Chamber, and after a series of negotiations, the Chamber took a loan of Rs 2 Lacs from the
Pakistan Jute Association Committee and bought the building.95
In 1956, the Chamber Building at Dacca had its ground loor vacant. It was agreed
then that accommodation would be provided there for PJMA. At the end of the year a large
area of nearly 4000 sq ft was made available for ofice or show room use. Some
development work was carried out on the infrastructure and a new signboard with the
words Chamber Building was erected. The Committee felt, the Henderson Road land was
no longer required and arrangements were made for the Joint Steamer Companies to take
over the whole building until the expiry of the lease. The Committee also began the process
of selling off the property.96
In 1960, a decision was taken to donate the land to the Narayanganj Education Society,
but the government imposed a requisition order on this donation and later it became a
Labor Welfare Center.97 The Chamber building in Dhaka remained fully tenanted during
1961, but the Committee decided to raise the rent to 40 Paisa/sq ft for existing tenants and
50 Paisa/sq ft for new tenants.98
The Chamber Building at 87/88, Motijheel, was purchased in 1965. After the
construction of new modern buildings with improved facilities in the Motijheel area, some
of tenants of the Chamber Building left and consequently the Chambers income from rent
fell considerably. Consequently, the Building Sub-Committee and the Chamber Committee
decided to sell the building and construct a new one. At the Committee meeting on April 21,
1966, the then President Mr Anwar A Kahlon was authorised to negotiate the sale of the
building at Rs 6,50,000/- to Pakistan Red Cross Society on November 2, 1966. The
Committee got to know that Al-Bawany Chamber at 122/124 Motijheel, Dacca belonging
to Messrs. Ahmed Brothers Ltd., would be sold. The Chamber Committee decided to
purchase the building and the land from Mr YA Bawany for Rs 18 Lakhs.99 In order to raise
money to purchase the Al-Bawany Chamber, the Chamber building at Narayanganj was
sold to the PJA for Rs 6 lakhs. Zurial Lodge was also sold to PJA for Rs 3 Lakhs. With all the
money paid, possession of the Al-Bawany Chamber building was taken on November 01,
1967 and the building was renamed as Al-Chamber.100
95
96
97
98
99
100

MCCI : A Journey 49
The foyer of the Chamber Building
The Chamber constructed more loors and the building has remained fully tenanted
from 1967. In 1988, two new loors were extended. It was decided that the two side wings
of the 4th and 5th loors would be used for the Chambers Conference Hall, Library and
other purposes.101 This building is now known as the Chamber Building and is a landmark
in Motijheel, Dhaka.
Entrance of the Chamber Building

101
Chapter
The Chamber Now: Organization
THE CHAMBER NOW: ORGANIZATION
The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) is the oldest and
the preeminent trade organization of Bangladesh. Its membership roll encompasses

leading commercial and industrial organizations of the country, including public sector
corporations and local as well as multinational companies. Presently, almost all major
enterprises of the manufacturing and service sectors are among its members. The Chamber
offers a wide range of professional services to its members. For effective functioning, it has
a full-ledged secretariat, which is widely acclaimed as one of the inest in Bangladesh.
Although the Chamber was originally established more than a century ago to serve the
interest of British businesses in Bengal, it has since evolved into a leading business
chamber to preserve and uphold the interests of the Bangladeshi business community.
This chapter of the book elaborates on the organizational structure and the
foundation of the Chamber, membership requirements, rights and privileges, subscriptions

and other relevant matters. However, due to paucity of primary sources, it is dificult to
depict an accurate picture of the early organizational structure of the Chamber. Early
records (Annual Reports, Minutes) of this pioneer Chamber are not available in archives
and hence reconstructing the Chambers formative years has not been possible. The
Chamber was reorganized, restyled and renamed in 1949 under Section 26 of the Indian
Companies Act, 1913 and was subsequently adapted to meet Pakistan-period legal
requirements. The journey of the Chamber, its functions, its organizational structures and
its services to members, society at large and the nation can only be gleaned properly from
the Annual Records and Minutes available from 1949 onwards.
Presently, the Metropolitan Chamber governance consists of ofice bearers led by the
President and a Secretariat headed by the Secretary-General. The secretariat is manned by

professional staff. The well-managed Secretariat gives the Chamber its reputation as a
highly functioning and visible trade organization of the country and the region. The
52 MCCI : A Journey
Chambers services, developed over a long period, are comprehensive and cover
specialized areas such as taxation, import-export policy, tariff and non-tariff measures,
investment policy, WTO matters, macro-economic surveys/studies and other national and
international economic and commercial matters. It regularly provides necessary policy
inputs and budget recommendations to the Government. The secretariat maintains all
records diligently. In fact, MCCI has enhanced its organizational capacity and augmented its
effectiveness over the course of its history. In the process, the Chamber inevitably
encountered formidable barriers. But the Chamber has withstood the ravages of time
successfully and has emerged as a composite body representing varied types and sizes of
business. It has incorporated new elements and trends into its administrative machinery
from the experience it has gathered for over a century.
In the course of the research undertaken to produce this book, some archival
documents of MCCI were discovered in the Bangladesh National Archives, the National
Archives of India (New Delhi) and the West Bengal Secretariat Archives. There are some
indications of the nature of the early organizational structure of MCCI in these documents.
It seems from these documents and other secondary sources that the Chamber began by
following the organizational structure of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce, established in
1853, by British traders and entrepreneurs. Initially, the Honorary Secretary was a vital
igure of the Chamber Committee. He would maintain links with the Bengal Government as
well as the Government of India on behalf of the Chamber Committee. There were few
member companies at that time and little secretarial work. At the time of the World War II,
the Chamber passed through a dificult period. After end of the War, however, the Chamber
overcame the adverse situation as some new companies and business irms joined it as
members.
It can be stated on the basis of the sources available that initially the Chamber was led
only by foreigners; native businessmen did not get access to it until 1947. But in a new
political coniguration, the Chamber was reorganized in 1949. Its mission and vision
became much more region-oriented from this time onward and native businessmen inally
started to become part of the Chamber. Nevertheless, it still had no ofice of its own and
usually met in the Narayanganj Club Committee Room or in the Institute and thereafter in
Dacca at the Secretarys residence.102 From 1948 to 1950, the Chamber had a Secretariat,
but no permanent staff.103 In 1958 the Government of Pakistan decided, that the chambers
and associations of trade and industry would have to be reorganized and published a
Gazette of Pakistan Extra-ordinary to that effect on 18 November.104 The Chamber
102
103
104
Annual Report of the NCCI, Dacca, 1978-79, p. 94.

Interview of CK Hyder, former Secretary-General of MCCI, Dhaka, 24 April 2014.
The Pakistan Observer, 21 November, 1958.
MCCI : A Journey 53
Memorandums and Articles were amended in accordance with the Government

notiication. An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Chamber was held on 20 November
and it was re-styled and re-organized once again through a special resolution.105 The
increasing participation of native businessmen in the Chamber Committee made it more
functional and public-friendly. With every major political changeover in the region and due
to changing government regulations, the Chamber has had to be re-structured several
times in its 110 years history.
Eligibility of Membership: Without membership a chamber of commerce does not exist.
Members are its lifeblood. When a chamber offers membership, it does not merely offer its
services to members; it is also then sharing its goodwill and prestige with its members. In
other words, the positive image of the Chamber and the past work it has done in the
community has stood its members in good stead. MCCI has achieved a prominent place
among the Chambers of Commerce in Bangladesh. Getting membership in the Metropolitan
Chamber is a matter of great honour for companies.
Firms or individuals engaged in export and import or any other trade or owning
factories that pay or are liable to pay taxes are eligible for membership of the Metropolitan
Chamber. The Chamber consists of four classes of members,106 namely,
1. Trade Group Members

2. Ordinary Members
3. Associate Members and
4. Town Association Members.
But in practice only Ordinary and Associate Members are found in the list and are
actively involved in the Chamber.
Only groups which have been organized to represent speciic trades or industries and
have been licensed under the Trade Organizations Ordinance 1961 are eligible for Trade
Group membership. However, groups who are not licensed under the above mentioned
ordinance but whose constitutions are governed by the rules framed by the Chamber are
eligible for Trade Group membership. In addition to the above mentioned groups, some
branches or zonal ofices of associations of trade or industry or of both, organized on an
all-Bangladesh basis to represent speciic trades or industries or both, are eligible for
membership in the Trade Group category.107 Presently though, there are no members in the
MCCI from this category.
105
106
107

Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Article 3, Dhaka: 2013, p. 9.
54 MCCI : A Journey
As mentioned above, the Chamber consists mainly of Ordinary and Associate

members. Ordinary members form the core of the chamber. They pay annual membership
subscriptions and have voting rights. They can also stand for election to the Executive
Committee of the Chamber. Associate membership is for irms who prefer not to become
ordinary members. The annual subscription for this category of members is charged at a
lower rate and they do not have any voting rights. As per the Memorandum of MCCI, all
individuals, persons, irms, companies, corporations, banks, ship owners, industrial
concerns, solicitors, accountants engaged in commerce, industry, agriculture, mining or
manufacture are eligible for election as Ordinary and Associate members.108
Rights and Privileges: Members depend on the chamber for its services; to speak on their
behalf; to come to their rescue when necessary; to join in innovative business programs;
and to have a sense of fellowship. Members want the chamber to help them develop and
grow, not merely in size but in status in the community; they want their chamber to help
them in achieving what we may call the fulillment of their ambitions. As an accredited
organization, the Chamber is entitled to some rights and privileges. Its recommendations
on various problems and issues concerning trade, commerce and industry of the country
are received with due consideration by the government who also consult the Chamber in
such matters. The Chamber also publishes reports and policy papers for its members. It is
authorised to issue certiicates of origin (CO) in accordance with the requirements of trade
and commerce in general or of speciic commodities or products in particular.
Representatives of trade and industry in local bodies, standing committees, advisory
councils, port development trusts, improvement trusts, railway advisory bodies etc. are
normally nominated by the Chamber. It seeks afiliation with any organization abroad and
send representatives to meetings or conference of similar bodies held in foreign
countries.109
Chamber members have special rights and privileges according to the category they
are in. They also receive copies of the Chambers circulars, publications and other relevant
documents.
In case of unresolved differences of opinion between various categories of members

on matters on which the government has sought the advice of the Chamber, members of
relevant groups have the right to have their viewpoints forwarded to it.110
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Article 5-6, Dhaka: 2013, pp. 9-10.
Annual Report of the NCCI, Dacca: 1959, pp. 40-41.
110
108
109
MCCI : A Journey 55
Subscription: Member companies pay subscription fees as per the Memorandum of the
Association. The annual subscription payable for each class of members is set within
minimum and maximum limits. Within the above limits, the committee in ofice determines
the exact amount of subscription payable by each class of members from time to time.
Subscriptions become due and payable on the irst day of January, but may be declared by
the Committee to be payable quarterly, except in the case of Associate members. Members
who are elected or who join after the irst day of July in any year pay half of the annual
subscription for that year.111
The annual subscription of member irms has increased in course of time. In 1959, the
annual subscription was re-ixed at Rs 750 per annum for a Group Member, Rs 750 per
annum for Ordinary Members and Rs 150 per annum for Associate Members.112 A
resolution revising the subscription to Tk 2500 for Ordinary Members and Tk 625 for
Associate Members was passed to partly meet the recurring shortfall in the Secretariat
account.113
Revision of member subscription is a continuous process and the Chamber does so

with the changing economic condition of the country. The present Secretary-General of the
Chamber, Mr Farooq Ahmed, noted in 2012 that the current rates of subscriptions, which
were ixed in 1986, were no longer adequate and needed to be re-ixed. Some of the
members present then suggested that the subscription rates be increased. Accordingly, an
Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) was held on 22 October 2012, to consider adopting
special resolutions for enhancing the annual subscriptions. These were passed
unanimously.114 The revised fees are as follows:
Annual Subscriptions (from 2012)115
Names
Minimum
Maximum
Trade Group Members
Tk 1,00,000/-
Tk 2,00,000/-
Ordinary Member
Tk
Tk
Town Association Member

Associate Member
111
112
113
114
115
Tk 1,00,000/Tk
40,000/30,000/-
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Article 25-26, Dhaka: 2013, p. 14.
Annual Report of the NCCI, Dacca: 1959, p. 48.
Annual Report of the NCCI, Dacca: 1978, p. 4.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 2012, p. 6.
Tk 2,00,000/Tk
70,000/-
60,000/-
56 MCCI : A Journey
Expulsion: The Committee may, at any time, through a majority of its total strength and at
its discretion, suspend and/or expel from the Chamber any Ordinary or Associate member
for any of the following reasons: (a) Non-fulillment of contractual obligations and claims
arising out of them; (b) Non-payment of any dues of the Chamber within the time
prescribed by the Committee; and (c) For any activity which may, in the opinion of the
Committee, harm or in any way be detrimental to the interest or general well-being of

Bangladesh, the Committee and trade of the country, or the members of the Chamber.
Before expulsion, the member in question shall be given notice of complaint or charge and
the opportunity to reply to or meet the same. The Chamber Committee has powers to
withdraw any suspension made under Article 27 of the Memorandum and Articles of
Association of the MCCI, Dhaka.116
Management Structure of the Chamber: The Chamber Management System is supervised

by ofice bearers with the support and assistance of the Secretariat. In 1904, the then NCC
(now MCCI, Dhaka) Committee consisted of 16 members, including the President,

Vice-President and Honorary Secretary.117 In 1949, the re-organization of the NCC was
initiated by some business irms operating in and around Narayanganj and Dhaka. They
were desirous to form a trade association under the Companies Act 1913. As per the
Memorandum and Articles of Association, 1949, they redesigned the organization and
signed the Memorandum on the 9th May, 1949.118 Because of scanty source materials the
complete reconstsruction of the pre-partition structure of the committee is not possible.
After it was restructured in 1949, the Chamber got a new look. The then ofice of the
Chamber was in Narayanganj. In accordance with the Memorandum and Articles of
Association of the period, the Management of the business of the Chamber was vested in a
committee consisting of a President, a Vice-President and up to 24 Members. This
Committee was represented by 12 Ordinary Members, 6 Associate Members, 3 Town
Association Members and 3 Trade Group Members.119 In course of time, the management
system of the Chamber evolved due to the changing pattern of the work. Presently, the
Chamber Committee consists of 13 members, elected in the Ordinary and Associate
category. Their election to the Chamber Committee is conirmed during the Annual General
Meeting. They are known subsequently as Ofice Bearers and consist of 13 members,
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Article 27, Dhaka: 2013, pp. 14-15.
CWE Cotton, Handbook of Commercial Information for India, Third Edition, New Delhi: Government of India,
1937, p. 49.
118
119
116
117
MCCI : A Journey 57
including the President and Vice President. The elected ofice bearers hold ofice for a term
of three years but are eligible for re-election for another term of three years; on completion
of which, one must retire for at least two consecutive years. Thereafter, the same individual
becomes eligible for contesting in the election again. In order to maintain continuity and
functional eficiency, a third of the members of the Chamber Committee retire every year
and an equal number of members are elected in the same year for a term of three years.
Thus, a balanced rotation is maintained. The Secretary till 1990 and the Secretary-General
from 1991 onwards (when the post of the Secretary was upgraded to Secretary-General), is
also the Chief Executive Oficer. The Secretary-General has to coordinate all activities of the
Chamber and the President is responsible for overseeing all its activities. Currently, among
the 13 Committee Members, 12 are from the Ordinary category and one from the Associate
Member category.
Major General Amjad Khan Chowdhury (Retd), President MCCI

presiding over a seminar on 7 October 2012
The President is the de-facto head of the Chamber and sees to it that the Chamber fulills
its responsibilities to its members.120
The President presides over all meetings of the committee, all general meetings, all
deputations and the annual general meetings; in addition, the President has a number of
executive and administrative functions to discharge. Some other important activities of the
President are as follows: to head the Chamber Committee and chair all meetings as the
leader of the Chamber; to oversee the Chamber Committees work plan for the term of
ofice and to set targets and priorities for Committee members and the Secretariat; to
appoint the Secretary-General and monitor the Secretariats progress in meeting targets set
by the Committee; to delegate authority and assign tasks to other Committee members and
120
58 MCCI : A Journey
the Secretariat; to receive visitors, sign documents, host dinners, and oficiate at social,
sports and other membership events organized by the Chamber. As a negotiator or

Spokesperson of the Chamber, the President represents it in its dialogues with the
Government; heads delegations attending regional and international meetings; speaks on
behalf of the Chamber at press conferences and high level events and makes oficial
announcements. The President has to cast the deciding vote in the event of an impasse in
Committee meetings and chairs meet-the-members sessions. If and when appropriate, the
President reconciles differences between members and resolves trade disputes.
In an interview Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, former President of the MCCI, noted that as per
the articles of association, the President is supposed to be elected by the Committee

members. However, there is a good practice in MCCI that in most cases (but not all), the
Committee members select the President through mutual consensus and thereafter, the
election formalities are completed to fulil the regulatory compliances. In some cases in the
past, when there was more than one Presidential candidate, the outcome was decided
through secret ballots. The election of the President is also conirmed during the Annual
General Meeting. Mr Anis Ud Dowla observes that
we are fortunate enough that all of our Presidents were always ready to
give time and merit to contribute to the nation and this is the historical legacy
of the Chamber. The Chamber President is an established and highly
respected person in society and has never attempted to gain personal interest
out of it.121
The Chamber President is generally regarded as someone who has the stature as well
as the ability to overcome the pressure coming from any corner of society. Professionalism,
fairness, and community interest have characterized Chamber Presidents over the years.
The President always performs duties with the intention of serving society and the
nation. Mr Anis Ud Dowla added in the interview that usually even government ministers
have welcomed both the MCCI President and telephone calls from MCCI. Few Chambers
have such access to the upper echelons of Government.122 It has not been possible to
retrieve all the names of former Presidents of the Chamber from existing documents.
However, a list of MCCI presidents with names of their companies since 1947 is provided in
the Appendices Section. See Appendix 6.
121
122
Interview of Mr Anis Ud Dowla, Former President of MCCI, Dhaka, 11 May, 2014.

Interview of Mr Anis Ud Dowla.
MCCI : A Journey 59
Former Presidents of MCCI, Dhaka
The reputation of the chamber depends largely on the attitude, activity, work ethic
and vision of the President, the Vice-President, committee members and the Secretary
General, all of whom work as a team. The Chamber President has been working more and
more closely with senior oficials in the public sector since in market economy partnership
activities between public and private sector have been gaining momentum in recent
decades.
The Vice-President in the absence of the President has the powers of the President.123
The Chamber Committee is vested with absolute powers to take all policy decisions for the
Chamber. It has certain duties explicitly stated in the Articles of Association. These include
admitting new members, appointing sub-committees and looking after the properties of
the Chamber, arranging for the proper administration of the ofice of the Chamber, making
by-laws or rules for regulation of chamber business, and deciding upon undertaking any
new activity of the organization. This body has the power to make all decisions necessary
for running the Chamber.
The Committee is elected for one year and its terms of reference are described
elaborately in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of MCCI, Dhaka.124 Initially, the
then NCC (now MCCI, Dhaka) Committee was composed of 16 members, including the
President, Vice-President and Honorary Secretary.125 After 1949, the NCC was re-organized
123
124
125
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Article 46-53, Dhaka: 2013, pp. 8, 23-25.
CWE Cotton, Handbook of Commercial Information, p. 49.
60 MCCI : A Journey
and consisted of 7 founding members. From 1954 to 1963, Chamber Committee members
were restricted to 9. In 1964, it was increased to 10. From 1965 to 1966 the Committee
consisted of 11 members and in 1967 it was run by 12 members. From 1968 the
composition of the Chamber Committee members is 13. A list containing names of the
committee members of the Chamber (year-wise) to date will be of interest to many, and is
given in Appendix 7.
As per the Memorandum and the Articles of the Association, the Committee meets at
such time as is deemed advisable, and make such regulations as they think proper to the
summoning and holding of committee meetings and for transaction of business at such
meetings. Records of their proceedings are kept open for inspection by members.126 The
Vice-President is ex-oficio Chairman of the Committee in the absence of the President. If
the Vice-President is absent, the Committee elects a Chairman.127 One-third of the members
of the Committee form a quorum for the transaction of business. Each Member of the
Committee has one vote, and in the event of an equality of votes, the Chairman has a second
or casting vote. No resolution duly passed at a meeting of the Committee can be amended,
altered or rescinded at a subsequent meeting of the Committee held within 12 month of the
date of which such resolution is adopted, unless two-thirds of the total numbers of
members of the Committee vote for a change. This rule also states that the agenda
containing the proposal should be duly circulated amongst members.128
An article (no. 51) of the Memorandum of MCCI states that a yearly report of the
proceedings of the Committee is to be prepared, printed and circulated for the information
of members at least fourteen days before the Annual General Meeting. Such a report is to be
submitted to the AGM for conirmation and is to be conirmed or otherwise dealt with or
disposed of as the meeting shall determine. The Committee has the power to appoint any
Departmental Committees and Sub-committees of the members of the Committee, or of the
Members of the Chamber, and to appoint any person as Secretary-General on such
remuneration and subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee considers
proper.129
The duties of the Chamber Committee can be broadly classiied into 3 general
categories: Executive Duties (Policy making, Target setting, Periodic review of policies and
directions); Constitutional Duties (Admittance and termination of members, managing the
business, funds and properties of the Chamber, appointment of committees and delegation
126
127
128
129
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Article 51-53, Dhaka: 2013, pp. 24-25.
MCCI : A Journey 61
of authority to them, introducing new bye-laws or amendments to the Constitution for

expedient regulation of the Chambers affairs provided that these are approved by a general
meeting of the members at an AGM or EGM, entering into arrangements with other
organisations on terms and conditions that are deemed advantageous to the Chamber,
provided that the objectives of these arrangements are not inconsistent with the objectives
of the Chamber); Administrative Duties (Ensuring that the Secretariat under the
management of an appointed Secretary-General correctly interprets policies laid down by
the Committee and meets targets set, providing leadership in activities and functions
involving the general membership, representing the Chamber and its members in
dialogues with government and other business organisations, serving on statutory boards
or other public or private bodies whose terms of reference have relevance to the Chamber,
and holding meetings with foreign business leaders at international conventions).
The Sub-Committees are an important part of the Chamber. The Metropolitan Chamber
has a number of sub-committees. These committees directly or indirectly assist in
managing and completing the overall functions of the chamber and are responsible for
recommending and supplying reliable information and advice on different trade and
industry-related issues. The sub-committees help by providing observations and analysis
on economic and commercially important matters to the Chamber. In most cases, members
of the Chamber Committee are conveners of the sub-committees. The conveners assemble
for regular meetings to perform the functions of the respective committees. The President,
the Vice President and other members of the Committee can attend sub-committee
meetings, if needed. See Appendix 8 for names of members of subcommittees in 2014.
The number of sub-committees varies, depending on the needs and management of
the Chamber. In 2014 the Metropolitan Chamber, for example, had thirteen (13)
sub-committees, although this is not a ixed number. In fact, as the Table below indicates,
there have been as many as 14 committees in some years.
A year-wise list of numbers of the sub-committees in Bangladesh era should be of
interest to many, and is given below130:
130
Year
1973
1975
1978
1979
1980-85
Numbers
6
6
12
12
13
Year
1986
1987-88
1989-99
2000-04
2005-14
Annual Reports of the NCCI, Dacca (1973, 75, 78) and the MCCI, Dhaka (1979-2014).
Numbers
12
13
14
14
13
62 MCCI : A Journey
The Chamber Committee has the power to appoint any departmental committee or
sub-committee on a permanent or temporary basis.131 With the evolution of the Chamber,
the sub-committees have at times been changed and renamed. The sub-committees consist
of prominent business leaders of the country, including the Chamber President, along with
other committee members. The sub-committees function in a variety of areas such as

Establishment, Finance & Membership, Commercial Legislations, Tariff & Taxation,
Environment & Climate Change, Corporate Governance & CSR, Infrastructure, Export, FTA
& WTO, International Trade & Fair, Investment, Industry and International Relations. The
sub-committees relect the Chambers areas of interest and functions. The nature of
Chamber sub-committees in the Colonial period, however, cannot be determined because

of the absence of primary sources.
Since 1949, sub-committees on different issues have been regularly formed on the
basis of the Chambers requirements at certain periods of history. So the character of

sub-committees depends on the nature of Chamber activities in different situations. For
example, the sub-committee on Jute Fabric Shippers was active in the 1960s but this
sub-committee disappeared in independent Bangladesh. However, some sub-committees

have always been in existence. In the Bangladesh era, the sub-committees on Company
Legislation, International Relations, Chamber Establishment, Commercial Legislation and

Foreign Investment have been very important and active constituents of the Chamber.
With more intense global competition and liberalization of trade, the role of MCCI has
changed considerably. At home and abroad, MCCI has had to operate much more eficiently
and effectively than before in order to cope with new and demanding challenges of the era
of globalization. Accordingly, new sub-committees have been functioning after the 1990s
such as Customs and Shipping, Transport and Shipping, Tariff and Customs, International
Trade and Tariff, Transport, Shipping and Other Infrastructure Services, FTA/ WTO,
Investment, Corporate Governance and CSR, International Trade and Fair and Environment
and Climate Change. These sub-committees have been formed in order to attract foreign
investment, to cope with changes in world trade, to fulill new millennium challenges and
to meet new business goals. All these sub-committees have been playing signiicant roles in
the activities of the MCCI and rendering valuable services to society and the nation. See
Appendix 9 for the Chamber Sub-Committees of 110 Years of Services to Trade and
Industry.
131
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Article 53/a, Dhaka: 2013, p. 24.
MCCI : A Journey 63
The Chamber Secretariat: The Secretariat conducts the activities of the Chamber. To carry
out its activities, the Chamber requires an eficient and professional secretariat. The
Metropolitan Chamber has developed its own secretariat and can now claim to have one of
the inest secretariats in Bangladesh and neighboring regions.
The MCCIs Secretariat is engaged in delivering both traditional and non-traditional
services. The quality of activities of the Chamber has been proven by the degree of
acceptance of the activities of its members. As an active and enterprising chamber, MCCI
has initiated new programs to attract more members. The Secretariats prime roles are to
implement policies laid down by the Chamber Committee; to achieve targets set by the
Committee; to provide periodic reports to the Committee on its progress; to pursue

projects and activities that will enable the Chamber to attain its mission; to monitor trends
and developments in commerce and industry and alert members accordingly; to provide
secretarial support for committee meetings and keep proper record of proceedings; to
make recommendations to the Committee and members on policies and activities that will
enhance the effectiveness of the Chamber in rendering services to its members; and to
handle the day-to-day operations of the Chamber.
The structure of the Secretariat had changed in the course of the Chambers 110 years
of existence. In 1904, the Secretariat of NCC was administered by an Honorary Secretary.132
From available sources, scanty though they are, it can be inferred that some minor
structural changes occurred in the Chamber Secretariat at around 1947. Secretariat
functions were limited before 1947, because of circumstances such as the economic
depression of the 1930s, the Second World War from 1939-45, and the political turmoils of
the 1940s. The Chamber Secretariat obtained a regular and salaried Secretary after 1949
when the Chamber was re-styled and re-organized under the Company Act of 1913. As the
volume of work increased in the 1950s, the Secretariat was strengthened and the Assistant
Secretary post was re-designated as Deputy Secretary. Two posts of Joints Secretaries
were created for smooth functioning and boosting the activities of the Chamber.133 Prior to
1991, the Secretary was the keyperson who worked as the CEO of the Chamber Secretariat.
132
133
Letters of Correspondences (1914-1947) between the Govt. of Bengal (GOB) and the Narayanganj Chamber
of Commerce (NCC), A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Bangladesh National Archives (BNA).
The post of Assistant Secretary of the Chamber was created on 14 March 1951, Deputy Secretary in 1954
and Join Secretary in 1958. This information is collected from the relevant Annual Reports and Minutes of
the Chamber.
64 MCCI : A Journey
After 1991, the Secretariat consisted of full-time staff headed by a Secretary-General

appointed by the Chamber Committee.134 The post was redesignated and upgraded to
Secretary-General in 1991. Previously, the designated secretaries were assisted by two
Joint Secretaries. At present, the Secretary-General is assisted by two Secretaries, two Joint
Secretaries, one Labour Adviser and one Economic Adviser. The size of the current
Secretariat is much bigger than it was before. As the size and inances of the Chamber have
expanded, some key positions have been created, including the positions of the
Secretary-General, the Administrative and Finance Manager, Secretaries and Executive
Oficers. The Secretariat is the most important operating organ of the Chamber. It is
currently manned by a team of over sixty professional employees headed by the
Secretary-General who is also the CEO.
The effectiveness of the Secretariat, of course, depends not only on the professional
capabilities of the staff, but also on the degree of independence it is given by the Committee
to interpret and implement policies. The Chamber Committee usually does not pose any
problems in the path of a favourable work environment and encourages independent
decision-making to have work completed smoothly. The Chamber employs staff possessing
specialized skills ensuing from training in information technology, market research, public
relations and marketing.
The Chamber Secretariat, in course of time, has engaged staff specializing in exports,
imports, industries, publications, economic research, arbitration etc. It has its own ofice,
the Secretariat, ofice premises, conference and meeting hall-rooms to perform all of the
functions effectively. The Chamber is inanced through regular membership subscription
and functions on a non-proit, basis.135
Secretarial Services to Other Bodies/Associations: In addition to its regular activities, the

Chamber has been offering secretarial services to Bangladesh Employers Federation
(BEF), the lone national level organization of employers in the country dealing with
industrial relations, occupational safety and health, work place cooperation, skills
development, labor law and other labor-related issues. Before 1998, the name of the
Federation was Bangladesh Employers Association. CK Hyder had acted as its Secretary
from 1972-90 and as Secretary-General from 1991-2008; Farooq Ahmed became the
Secretary-General from 2009, while in the East Pakistan Employers Association, J Garcia
and MZ Ahmed had acted as Secretaries.
134
135
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Article 53/f, Dhaka: 2013, p. 25.
Farooq Ahmed, Know Your Chamber, Chamber News, August 2013, pp. 5-6.
MCCI : A Journey 65
MCCI has also provided secretarial services to some important organizations such as
East Bengal Jute Dealers Association (1950), East Bengal Hides and Skin Shippers
Organisation (1950), the Pakistan Jute Association (1950), East Bengal Jute Balers
Association (1951), Khulna Mercantile Association (1952), Hydrolic Press Association

(1952), East Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (1952), Pakistan Jute Mills Association
(1953), East Pakistan Fabric Shippers Association (1955), The Eastern Pakistan Jute
Brokers Association (1956), Insurance Association of Pakistan (1960), Pakistan River

Transport Operators Association (1964), and Shipyards Association of Pakistan (1967).
The practice of providing secretarial services to the Employers Association of East
Pakistan continued in the DNCCI and NCCI era of the Chamber.136 Secretarial services to the
Shipyards Association and Bangladesh River Transport Operators Association were,
however, discontinued for some time due to some internal problems of the Chamber after
independence.137 This service was discontinued thus in 1972.138
In 1974, the Chamber decided to offer secretarial services to the Bangladesh Tea
Association. The then President of NCCI, Mr Sabethur Rahman, pointed out that the
Chairman of the Tea Association was ready to come to a secretarial arrangement with the
Chamber. The Committee thanked Mr Rahman and agreed to offer secretarial services for
Tk 1000 per month.139 This decision was taken in a Committee Meeting held on 8 March.
However, in 1976, the Bangladesh Tea Association decided to discontinue this service. The
Chamber approved this decision in a meeting held on 1 August, 1976.140 The Chamber also
provided its secretarial services to the Bangladesh Jute Press Owners Association and
allowed them to use the Chamber Assembly Hall. This decision was taken in the Chambers
Committee Meeting held on 9 September and 14 October, 1976.141
Departments/Cells of the Chamber Secretariat: In its 110 years history, the MCCI
Secretariat formed a good number of departments or cells to carry out its activities
smoothly and effectively. These departments or cells have been playing signiicant roles in
the development of trade, commerce and industry in the country and have provided
support services to member-irms. Currently there are ive (05) Departments or Cells
136
137
138
139
140
141
Annual Report of the NCCI: Dacca, 1968, p. 9.

Minutes of the NCCI: Dacca, Resolution No 7, July 26, 1972, P. 1144.
Minutes of the NCCI: Dacca, Resolution No 7, July 26, 1972, P. 1149.
Minutes of the NCCI: Dacca, Resolution No 5, March 8, 1974, pp. 1224-25.
Minutes of the NCCI: Dacca, Resolution No 10, August 13, 1976, p. 1335.
Minutes of the NCCI: Dacca, 1976, p. 1341, 1347.
66 MCCI : A Journey
active in the Chamber. These are: (1) Certiicate of Origin (CO) Cell, (2) Research and
Publication Cell, (3) Accounts Cell, (4) Dispatch Cell and (5) General Services Cell.142 At
present, Chamber activities are mainly managed and regulated by these departments or
cells. The Secretary-General coordinates and supervises the work of all the departments or
cells with the help of two secretaries.
From its inception in 1904, the Chamber has maintained its Secretariat to serve its
members and to develop trade, commerce and industry in the region. In its early days, the
Secretariat was small and only offered very particular services to its members and to the
Commerce and Industry departments of the Bengal Government. In course of time the
Secretariat gradually incorporated some new departments or cells and began performing
many other activities relating to trade and commerce. Some departments/cells came into
being on the basis of the category of work required and emerging situations. In its overall
existence, the Metropolitan Chamber has had jurisdictions in areas such as Administration,
Finance, Research and Training, Taxation, Arbitration, Pre-shipment and Quality Survey
Cell, Library, Publications, CSR activities, Public Relation, Weighment and Measure, Staff
Welfare activities and Cooperation Agreement etc. The Secretariat provides services to the
Chamber Committee and Sub-Committees in holding AGMs; handles membership and
services; maintains links with the Government, bilateral and multilateral donor agencies
and other trade organizations; works in dispute settlement, policy making, monitoring of
implementation of projects, coordinating of holding and attending conferences, seminars
and exhibitions at home and abroad. MCCI Secretariat also arranges training courses,
workshops, discussion meetings and press-meets. As a vital part of the secretarial job,
members are kept posted on all important notiications/circulars issued by government
and autonomous bodies concerning trade, commerce, industry, money, banking, inance
and labour etc. through circulars issued by Secretariat departments or cells.
Through a particular Department/Cell of the Chamber Secretariat, it issues and
amends Certiicates of Origin (CO), in respect of shipment of goods. The Certiicate of Origin
(CO) is a mandatory document for export of various goods. Over the years, CO issued by the
Chamber Cell has attained high level of trust and conidence among importers/buyers
across the world. On request, it also legalizes export documents which are needed by
buyers of most countries. The Certiicate Department (well-known as CO Section in the
Chamber) has been eficiently handling such assignments for decades.
The Research and Publication Cell143 is a major and very important department of the
Chamber Secretariat. Some major functions of this cell are: collecting data on trade and
142
143
http://www.mccibd.org/pages/secretariat.php
CK Hyder, Narayanganj Banik Samiti: Ek Biral Sebar 75 Bachhor (in Bangla), Dainik Ittefaq, 20 June, 1979, p. 9.
MCCI : A Journey 67
Library
Publications of the MCCI, Dhaka
commerce of the country, maintaining a data-base and evaluating economic growth,

compiling and updating analysis on industry, monthly production igures of major
industries, cost of living index, monthly igures on imports and exports and analyzing
trends, policy reviews and evaluations, analyzing the budget of the country, and preparing
the Chambers budget, compiling and publishing Chamber News, Quarterly Economic
Reviews, Quarterly Review, Tax News, Bangladesh Economy, Annual Report, Summary of
Taxation Rules in Bangladesh etc. Presently a research team works under the guidance of an
Economic Adviser. A leading economist of the country guides this team with the help of
senior oficers who have postgraduate degrees in Economics, Management etc. This Cell
acts as the Think Tank of MCCI in preparing Position Papers on different economic topics
relevant to the Chambers activities and the economic and trade situation of the country. All
these papers are used to pinpoint and analyze problem areas of the countrys economy.
The General Cell also renders services to member-irms on issues such as

disseminating important information from various Government Gazettes, Notiications and
Circulars etc. Some other activities undertaken by the General and Dispatch Cells were
previously managed by different departments or cells. Taxation Cell, Arbitration,
Pre-shipment Quality Survey, Industrial Relations Advisory Cell, Courier Services Section,
Telex Service, Library all were formerly cells or sections of the Chamber Secretariat.
The Accounts Cell is another important department that handles the accounts and
inances of the Chamber.144
144
Annual Report of the NCCI, Dacca, 1978-79, pp. 108-10; Farooq Ahmed, Know Your Chamber, Chamber News,
August 2013, pp. 5-6.
68 MCCI : A Journey
The Dispatch Cell of the Chamber had introduced courier services in the early 1950s.
It used to operate Courier Services from Dhaka to two other commercial centers
Chittagong and Khulna. Urgent commercial mail and important documents were collected
from member-irms and dispatched to and from these areas by air to be delivered within a
day. The Dispatch Cell also used to offer Telex Service. This service helped disseminate
urgent messages such as international tenders for various countries. It was also available to
member-irms to enable them to dispatch their messages.
The Taxation Cell is usually headed by a retired Commissioner of Income Tax. It
prepares the Chambers proposals for the Government budget, which include suggestions
on Income Tax, Sales Tax, Custom Duty, Excise Duty, VAT etc. It provides services to
member-irms on their day-to-day tax problems.
Earlier the Pre-Shipment Quality Survey Department used to carry out pre-shipment
quality inspection surveys of tea, jute and jute goods.
Arbitration of the Commercial Cell was another important activicy of the Chamber
through which disputes vis--vis trade and commerce used to be settled after 1947. This
was one of the most important responsibilities of the Chamber in settling commercial
disputes.
The Chambers Tribunal used to handle all disputes concerning raw jute and jute
goods and other relevant problems. The Tribunal adjudicated disputes from the point of
reference to the inal award. The Tribunal enjoyed the complete trust and conidence of
trade and industry, both within the country and outside.145
The Chamber has a library with a very good collection of rare books on commerce,
industry, law, arbitration etc. It also stacks important and rare Gazette Notiications, Tax
News, Chamber Bulletins, relevant journals, works on the Bangladesh economy and other
commercially important documents, periodicals, and books which are often used even by
government ofices for reference purpose.
145
Library
Annual Report of the NCCI, Dacca, 1978-79, p. 108.
MCCI : A Journey 69
Secretary and Secretary-General: Ever since 1904, the Secretariat has been an important
administrative organ of the Chamber. It was variously headed by an Honorary Secretary or
a Secretary or a Secretary-General.
On the basis of archival documents, we have found the following eight names of
Honorary Secretaries in the NCC Phase (1904-50):
AL Godden (1917)146
RN Story (1924)147
JH Kirkland (1930)148
H Williams (1940)149
Swarup Mukherjee (1947)150

Gilespi Allen (1948)151
Emorphopulas (1949)152
Jack Garcia (1950)153
The Chamber was re-designed, re-styled and re-organized in 1949 when the post
of Honorary Secretary was re-designated to Secretary. This continued till the
amendment of the Memorandum and Articles of Association on 31 December, 1990.154
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
Letter titled Proposal to Suppress the Adulteration of Indian Produce before Export signed by AL Godden, A
Proceedings, Government of Bengal (GOB), Commerce Dept., Bangladesh National Archives (BNA), March 1918,
File No. 10-A/1, No. 14.
Letter titled Cotton Ginning and Cotton Pressing Factories Bill signed by RN Story, A Proceedings, GOB,
Commerce Dept., BNA, January 1925, File No. 1-A/18 (6), No. 40; Letter titled Periods of Wage Payment Bill
signed by RN Story, A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., BNA, June 1925, File No. 1-A/22 (7), No. 9.
Letter titled The Draft Indian Partnership Bill signed by JH Kirkland, A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept.,
BNA, November 1930, File No. 1-A/5 (5), No. 19.
Letter titled The Bengal Shops and Establishments Bill, 1939 signed by H Williams, A Proceedings, GOB,
Commerce and Labour Dept., BNA, August 1941, File No. 1-A/5 (193), No. 14.
Name of Swarup Mukherjee has been mentioned in a Message on Diamond Jubilee Celebration by former
President CEC Guthrie (1951) as Honorary Secretary for the period of 1947. See the Annual Report of NCCI,
1978-79, p. 94.
Name of Gillespi Allen has been mentioned in a Message on Diamond Jubilee Celebration by former President
CEC Guthrie (1951) as Honorary Secretary for the period of 1947-48. See the Annual Report of the NCCI, Dacca,
1978-79, p. 94.
Name of Emorphopulas has been mentioned in a Message on Diamond Jubilee Celebration by former President
CEC Guthrie (1951) as Secretary for the period of 1949. See the Annual Report of NCCI, Dacca, 1978-79, p. 94.
Name of Jack Garcia has been mentioned in a Message on Diamond Jubilee Celebration by former President CEC
Guthrie (1951) as Secretary for the period of 1950. See the Annual Report of NCCI, Dacca, 1978-79, p. 94.
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI: Dhaka, 2013, p. 8.
70 MCCI : A Journey
Jack Garcia, MZ Ahmed and CK Hyder are some of the remarkable personalities who have
served the Chamber as Secretary for a long period of time. The Chamber Secretariat passed
through its DNCC (1950-52), DNCCI (1952-59), NCCI (1959-79) phases and the irst few
years of MCCI (1979 onwards) because of the hard-work and vision of these personalities.
In 1991, the position of Chambers Secretary was upgraded and re-designated as
Secretary-General. CK Hyder graced the chair then and continued in this position till 2008.
Farooq Ahmed joined the Chamber in 2004 as the Secretary and was promoted to
Secretary-General in 2008. Because of the work-load and size of the Secretariat, a few new
posts (Assistant Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Joint Secretary etc) were created over the
years to assist the Secretary and Secretary-General. Since 2009, Absal Shaquib Quoreshi
and Md Murshid Alam have been working in the Chamber Secretariat as Secretaries.155
Only a few chambers can afford to employ personnel with highly specialized skills but
a team consisting of carefully selected and suitably qualiied staff led by an able
Secretary-General can certainly optimize the Chambers effectiveness and help it in
achieving its mission; MCCI, Dhaka is in this position. The Secretary-General is the chief
operating oficer and holds one of the most vital posts in the MCCI Secretariat. He is
responsible and accountable to the Chamber Committee for:
proper interpretation and implementation of policies laid down by the
Committee.
attainment of targets set.
rendering regular progress reports to the Committee.
recommending to the Committee such changes in policies and directions

as are needed to ensure the effectiveness of the Chamber in promoting
members interest.
managing the Chambers funds and properties.
submitting an annual budget for the Committees approval and ensuring

that expenditure falls within budgetary limits.
planning a Secretariat Organization Structure that is effectively geared to
function with maximum eficiency, and to deal with staff recruitment and
termination, management, training and motivation.
155
drawing up a work plan and coordinating Secretariat operations,

particularly in the areas of membership growth, services and activities, and
leading the Secretariats efforts at revenue generation and fund raising.
See Appendix 10 for year-wise and alphabetic list of Honorary Secretaries/ Assistant Secretaries/ Deputy
Secretaries/ Joint Secretaries/ Secretaries/ Secretary-Generals.
MCCI : A Journey 71
As per the Memorandum and Articles of Association, the Secretary-General deals with
the entire business affairs of the Chamber. He has charge of all correspondence and keeps
an account of the funds of the Chamber and the funds connected with or in any way
controlled by the Chamber. He issues, within 15 days, accurate minutes of all meetings of
the Chamber and of the Committee, the Department Committees and Sub-Committees and
of all Associations connected to the Chamber. He takes care of all belongings of the
Chamber. With the advice of the President, he gives notice of all meetings of the Chamber,
the Committee, the Departmental Committee and Sub-Committees of the Chamber, and of
all Associations working with the Chamber. For meetings of the Chamber Committee, at
least seven days notice must be given for regular meetings, and at least twenty-four hours
notice for emergency meetings. The Secretary-General duly notiies members or associate
members of their election, countersigns all cheques signed by the President or any
Chairman of an Association, Fund or Committee, and collects all dues from members,
associate members of the Chamber or from any committee or any association working with
the Chamber. He prepares the annual report of the Chamber under the guidance of the
Committee.156
List of Names of Honorary Secretaries/Assistant Secretaries/
Deputy Secretaries/Joint Secretaries/Secretaries/Secretary-Generals
Honorary Secretary
AL Godden, 1917
RN Story, 1924
JH Kirkland, 1930
H Williams, 1940
Gillespi Allen, 1948
Swarup Mukherjee, 1947

Assistant Secretary
M Ebraheem, 1956-58
AW Chalmers, 1958-61
MH Kashani, 1959
156
JR Khan, 1963-64
CK Hyder, 1965-67
Memorandum and Articles of Association, Article 54, MCCI: Dhaka, 2013, pp. 25-26.
72 MCCI : A Journey
Deputy Secretary
Joint Secretary
K Mohyuddin, 1954-56
KS Shahabuddin, 1958-59
CK Hyder, 1968-70
CK Hyder, 1971
MZ Ahmed, 1958-59
KS Shahabuddin, 1957
Secretary
Emorphopulas, 1949
Jack Garcia, 1950-57
MZ Ahmed, 1960-61, 1963-69

CK Hyder, 1972-90
Farhad Ahmed Chowdhury, 1997-2003

Farooq Ahmed, 2004-2008
Absal Shaquib Quoreshi, 2009 onwards

Md Murshid Alam, 2009 onwards
Secretary-General
CK Hyder, 1991-2008
Farooq Ahmed, 2009 onwards

The contribution of CK Hyder: A former President of the Metropolitan
Chamber, Mr Latifur Rahman, acknowledged the immense contribution
of Mr CK Hyder. Mr Rahman said, CK Hyder inaugurated an era in MCCI,
through his invaluable inputs into the Chamber for 44 years. I repeat, he
gave 44 years of remarkable, outstanding and uninterrupted service to
the Chamber. He is a highly-rated professional and obviously a unique
personality.157
157
Mr CK Hyder joined NCCI in 1965 as an Assistant Secretary. He was

promoted to Deputy Secretary in 1968. He became the Joint Secretary of
Interview of Mr Latifur Rahman, Former President of MCCI, Dhaka, 15 May, 2014.
MCCI : A Journey 73
NCCI at the time of the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. From

1972 to 1990, he served the Chamber as its Secretary. He became the
irst Secretary-General of the Chamber in 1991 and remained in this
position for the next 18 years. After retiring on 31 December 2008, he
joined the Chamber Committee as an Adviser and continued in this
position till 2011.
In the 104th Annual General Meeting held on 30 December 2008, the
Chairman of the meeting, Mr Latifur Rahman, announced the changes
that were to be made following the retirement of Mr CK Hyder. Mr
Latifur Rahman, the Chairman of the AGM, declared that the MCCI is
proud of the fact that it is managed by a professional Secretariat and
persons like CK Hyder.158
In his message, Mr Anis Ud Dowla, a stalwart of the Chamber for many

years, wrote about his experience of working with Mr CK Hyder since
1965. In an interview, he credited Mr Hyder for naming the Chamber as
the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka, itself -a
major milestone in the history of this Chamber.159 Former President of
MCCI, Mr Syed Manzur Elahi termed his Presidential period as a very
dificult time in 1989 when there was political turmoil in the Country
and noted how he helped steer MCCI in this troubled period.160
Mr SH Kabir, a former President of the Chamber, also highly praised CK
Hyders contribution to MCCI and said that he is a person of high
competence.161
Mr Kamran T Rahman, the President of Bangladesh Employers

Federation (BEF) in 2008, appreciated Mr Hyders contribution in the
ield of Industrial Relations, nationally, as well as internationally.
158
159
160
161
Proceedings of the 104th Annual General Meeting of the MCCI, Dhaka held at the Chamber Conference Hall,
Chamber Building (5th Floor) on 30 December, 2008. See, Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka, 2008, pp. 9-19.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka, 2008, p. 15; Interview of Mr Anis Ud Dowla, Former President of MCCI,
Dhaka, 11 May, 2014.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka, 2008, p. 16; Interview of Mr Syed Manzur Elahi, Former President of
MCCI, Dhaka, 10 April, 2014.
Chapter
The Chamber Now: Functions
THE CHAMBER NOW: FUNCTIONS
4.1 Introduction
The Chamber renders expert services in specialized areas such as economic policy reform,
taxation, trade practices, custom and tariff, and offers advice on important policy
instruments. It performs a set of functions which include initiating dialogue with the
government on the likely impact of existing and envisaged government policies on the
business community; providing effective representations of Chamber members to the
government or other authorities on problems faced by businesses; supplying information
related to the promotion of trade, investment and technology transfer; disseminating
information concerning rules and regulations endorsed by the government and other
competent authorities that have a bearing on business; enhancing the capacities of
members and their areas of business; and promoting interaction among members. The
Chamber strives to create a business-friendly environment and a favourable investment
climate in Bangladesh through its operations. The Chamber has been performing the
following activities in its 110 years history:
a) Organizing trade delegations, seminars, symposia and trade fairs, as
well as receiving business delegations from aboard;
b) Cooperating with other chambers of commerce and industry in

other countries as well as at home for promotion of bilateral trade
and investment;
c) Undertaking arbitration to settle disputes arising from business
transactions that affect its members;
d) Organizing meetings, seminars, conferences and discussions, and

conducting regular training courses and workshops on
entrepreneurship for its members;
e) Maintaining liaison with its members and foreign companies and

helping overseas business visitors in order to promote trade and
commerce with its members.
76 MCCI : A Journey
It can thus be stated that the Chamber has been performing varied but important
functions from its inception to facilitate business transactions and to promote trade and
commerce.
Initially, and in its Narayanganj phase, the Chambers activities were mainly related to
jute trading and industries. Being the most important centre of jute and other industries,
Narayanganj was then famous and received special attention of British merchants. Hence, the
functions and activities of the Chamber were at irst based on the need of these overseas
businessmen. The functions of the Chamber relating to these needs continued till 1947.
Some new dimensions were added to the activities of the Chamber after the second
partition of Bengal in 1947. Gradually the functions of the Chamber diversiied even more
in course of time. Indeed, by now, the Chamber has become one of the leading voices of the
business community of Bangladesh. Its organizational set-up, dynamism and eficient
leadership have made the Chamber a very active and proactive organization.
Facilitating
Trade and
Investment
Performing leading
role in trade policy
formulation
through research
and development
Encouraging
members to
carry out CSR
activities
MCCI
Services
(at a glance)
Issuing certiicates
mandatory for
business, e.g.
Certiicates of
Origin; Unavoidable
Delay Certiicates
and Phyto-Sanitary
Certiicates
Settling
business
disputes
Working in
information
management and
dissemination
Assisting in
business start ups
and support
MCCI : A Journey 77
The major functions of the MCCI may broadly be divided into three categories: (a)
offering services to members; (b) formulating views on matters of policy and
communicating these views to the appropriate authorities; and (c) representing the
business community outside the country. In addition to these three categories, the
Chamber conducts other traditional and non-traditional activities. All these functions have,
of course, not been practiced consistently throughout the 110 years history of the Chamber,
but a few have been carried out over the years, albeit modiied from time to time. Inevitably,
some activities or functions were carried out only in a particular phase and when needed.
What must be remembered here is that since the Metropolitan Chamber is a non-proit,
service-oriented organization, its functions or activities are aimed at serving society and
the nation in general and the business community in particular and is moulded accordingly.
This chapter will deal with the multidimensional functions of the Metropolitan
Chamber under the following headlines: Reviews; International Connections;
Representations; Publications and Research Cell; Annual General Meetings (AGM) and
Communication. Because of the paucity of sources and research in the area, the functions in
the irst phase (NCC Phase) of the Chamber (1904-50) could not be fully reconstructed.
Adequate information about Chamber functions is available only from 1950 Annual
Reports, Chamber News and the minutes of DNCC, DNCCI, NCCI and MCCI, Dhaka. The
functions of the Chamber from 1950 onwards have therefore been written mostly in light of
these records.
4.2 Reviews
Policy advocacy and conducting reviews are two of the foremost functions of the
Metropolitan Chamber. As a proactive body of business, the MCCI has contributed to
economic policy through such functions throughout its existence. MCCI anticipates future
needs of members, responds to these challenges, and prepares its stakeholders to beneit
from these changes and opportunities. Through its linkages with partner chambers, it helps
in making the voice of the Bangladeshi business community heard across the country and
in lands beyond.
From 1904, the Chamber has taken an active interest not only in areas of direct
concern for trade and industry, but also in relevant spheres of the public life of the region.
Governments have often referred many important questions about trade and commerce to
the Chamber for its opinion. In its early days, the Chamber used to even review Government
Acts and Policies e.g. the Company Act 1913, Scheme for the Registration of Property in
British India Belonging to Enemies, 1916 etc. Reviews on national budgets, economic
decisions taken by the government and its regulations, notiications, circulars, acts,
78 MCCI : A Journey
export-import policies, jute and tea policies, and other signiicant issues have been core
areas of the Chambers functions. At present, the Research Cell of the Chamber is taking an
active part in review matters. In many of these issues the Chamber makes comments before
and after policy proposals or the tabling of the National Budget.
The Research Cell has played an important role in reviewing issues relating to trade
and commerce or policy matters over the years. Extensive research carried out by
commissioned experts on relevant issues make reviews useful to all. A sub-committee is

often formed to work on relevant issues under the professional guidance of a leading
economist or an academic of the country. For the purpose of review, the Chamber sends
representations to various legislative and consultative councils, and also participates in
various boards, panels and commissions. At times the Chamber has welcomed policies
taken by the Government but at times too it has opposed them, while giving constructive
suggestions or recommendations on them.
In many ways, reviewing has been one of the most signiicant functions of the
Chamber. Of course, the review mode has changed in the course of time and with the
demand of each era. But perhaps the Chambers changing review activities and function can
be best understood if narrated historically.
NCC Phase (1904-1950): Various acts and policies initiated by the Government of India
and the Bengal Government were reviewed regularly in this phase. From archival records,
it is evident that there was regular communication between the Chamber and the
Commerce, Finance, and Labour Departments of the Bengal Government as well as the
Government of Eastern Bengal and Assam. The Honorary Secretary of the Chamber
maintained correspondence with these Departments. In this phase, the Narayanganj
Chamber of Commerce (NCC) reviewed several Government acts, bills and policies. Some
NCC-reviewed acts, bills and rules of government were: Bill to Amend the Indian Company
Act, 1913; United Kingdom Registration of Business Names Act, 1916; Proposal
Amendment of Section 91B of the Indian Companies Act 1913; Trading License 1915; Tariff
Policy of the Government of India Trade after the War; Free Trade System; Protection,
Imperial Preference, etc; Cotton Ginning and Cotton Pressing Factories Bill; Indian Trade
Unions Bill 1924; Periods of Wage Payment Bill 1925; Revision of the Indian Petroleum Act,
1899 (VIII of 1899); Indian Religious Pictures Trade Marks (Prevention) Bill, 1930; The
Draft Indian Partnership Bill; The Indian Partnership Bill, 1931; The Indian Petroleum Bill;
Bengal Factories Rules, 1935; Indian Electricity Rules, 1922; Proposed extension of the
Provisions of the Factories Act to Smaller Factories using Power Machinery; The Bengal
MCCI : A Journey 79
Maternity Bill, 1937; The Bengal Boiler Attendants Rules, 1939; The Draft Revised
Explosives Rules; The Bengal Shops and Establishments Bill, 1939.162
The above-mentioned documents are but a few examples that have been collected
from the archives of Bangladesh and India on which the NCC Committee carried out
research and got back to the Bengal or India government with its opinions. The Honorary
Secretary of the Chamber, on behalf of the Chamber Committee, was authorized to send
letters with signatures and dates in these matters. The jute business was vital to the Bengal
Government of the period. In 1917, the Chamber was asked to review adulteration of jute
with a view to eliciting suggestions for a remedy to this practice. The Chamber responded
by a noting that it occurred previous to its sale probably because of the raiyat and that the
jute was often watered and observed but that there was no adulteration of the exported
jute.163 In 1919, the Chamber Committee carefully studied the Governments proposed Bill
of United Kingdom Registration of Business Names Act 1916 and concurred with the terms
but suggested some modiications to them.164 The Chamber reviewed the collection of
commercial and industrial intelligence in connection with the recommendations of the

Indian Industrial Commission in 1920. The Chamber Committee was in favour of treating
commercial intelligence as an imperial rather than provincial affair and commented on the
disassociation of commercial from industrial intelligence. The Committee also approved of

the suggested reorganization of the staff of the Commercial Intelligence Department.165
In a review conducted in June 1920, the Chamber welcomed the Governments
nomination of representatives and delegates of employers for the International Labour

Conference and Commissions of Enquiry under articles 389 and 412 of the Peace Treaty.
The Chamber Committee was in favour of the proposal to invite the Employers
Associations to come up with a mechanism whereby a nominated representative of all
interests concerned could be selected in the future.166 In a meeting held on July 1920, the
Chamber Committee vehemently criticized the recommendations of the International
162
163
164
165
166
Files of the Government of Bengal, Department of Commerce; Commerce and Labour; Commerce, Labour
and Industries preserved in the Wooden Bundle in Bangladesh National Archives.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposal to Suppress the Adulteration of Indian Produce before
Export, BNA, March 1918, File No. 10-A/1, No. 14.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., United Kingdom Registration of Business Names Act, 1916, BNA,
October 1919, File No. 1-A/1 (10).
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Collection of Commercial and Industrial Intelligence in Connection
with the Recommendations of the Indian Industrial Commission, BNA, April 1920, File No. 2-1/3, Nos. 9-10.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Nomination of Representatives and Delegates of Employers for
International Labour Conferences and Commissions of Enquiry under Articles 389 and 412 of the Peace
Treaty, BNA, April 1921, File No. 8-L/9, No. 76.
80 MCCI : A Journey
Labour Conference. The Committee felt that the proposed changes would not be acceptable
to the labourers employed in jute baling. The Committee opined that the restriction of
hours in jute baling concerns was undesirable since it would reduce output.167
The Chambers review on the Indian Fiscal Commission in this phase, is worth
mentioning. It reviewed the Tariff Policy of the government of India adopted after the War,
the free trade system, protection etc. Committee members unanimously favored imperial
preferences.168 Constructive criticism of the Government was evident in Chamber reviews
undertaken during the NCC era. On the Periods of Wage Payment Bill, the Chamber
Committee took into consideration the overall situation of the workers and objected to the
application of piecemeal legislation that affected labourers employed by them.169 For its
review of the Proposed Legislation for the Investigation and Settlement of Trade Disputes,
the Chamber Committee opined that such legislation would be detrimental to both
employees and employers. It questioned the feasibility of the Government proposal.170
The Chambers review on the Indian Trade Unions Bill 1924, is another important
work the Chamber Committee carried out in this phase. The Chamber Committee in its
review noted, that there was no indication of any desire by labourers to form a Union. It
conceded that while during strikes in mills and factory areas, there were persons who
claimed to represent workers, in reality they were political agitators with no genuine
connection to the workers and had no true regard for them. The Chamber opined that the
introduction of such a Bill would merely encourage the formation of organizations which
neither the workers nor employees needed or desired at that time.171
On Indian Religious Pictures Trade Marks (Prevention) Bill, 1930 the Chambers
comment was quite signiicant. The Chamber opposed the Bill, considering it unnecessary
and detrimental to the trade bodies who had been using such trademarks over the years. It
also pointed out that the proposal embodied in the Bill was impractical, unnecessary and
not relective of public opinion.172 In 1935, the Chamber Committee reviewed the Sickness
167
168
169
170
171
172
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., International Labour Conference held at Washington in October,
1919, BNA, April 1921, File No. 8-L/8, No. 7.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Tariff Policy of the Government of India Trade after the War, Free
Trade System, Protection, Imperial Preference, etc., BNA, May 1922, File No. 8-F/1, No. 24.
A Proceedings, Commerce Dept., Periods of Wage Payment Bill, BNA, June 1925, File No. 1-A/22 (7), No. 9.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Legislation for the Investigation and Settlement of Trade
Disputes, BNA, January 1925, File No. 1-A/13 (26), No. 208.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Cotton Ginning and Cotton Pressing Factories Bill, BNA, January
1925, File No. 1-A/18 (6), No. 40.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Indian Religious Pictures Trade Marks (Prevention) Bill, 1930, BNA,
June 1930, File No. 1-A/8 (14), No. 24.
MCCI : A Journey 81
Insurance Scheme and remarked that such a scheme was feasible. It opined that it had no
objection to an enquiry into the merits of the proposed scheme.173 The Chamber opposed
the Bill of Holidays with Pay as members already had a system in vogue by then by which
adequate provision had been made for their employees.174
Archival Document: List of Papers between Govt. of Bengal and Other Associations, 1941
173
174
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Sickness Insurance, BNA, December 1935, File No. 1-I/5 (5), No. 130.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Holidays with Pay, BNA, April 1935, File No. 2-H/3 (5), No. 9.
82 MCCI : A Journey
Review on a Bill by the NCC, 1940
At times the Chamber relected

on comments made by the Bengal
Chamber of Commerce (BCC) in a
manner that relected the good terms
existing between NCC and BCC. The
Chambers review on The Draft
Revised Explosives Rules was an
example of its stand on review
matters. In replying to this notiication
the Chamber offered no comments but
supported the recommendations
already made by the Bengal Chamber
of Commerce.175
The Chambers review on the

Bengal Shops and Establishments Bill,
1939 was also very important for the
trade and commerce of Bengal. The Bill
was welcomed by the Chamber
Committee but they were concerned
that proprietors and staff working
hours that had been spelled out by the
legislative body and urged the
Government to modify the Bill.176
DNCC Phase (1950-52): In this phase, the Chamber continued conducting reviews on
issues similar to the ones undertaken in the NCC phase. In the early 1950s, the Chamber
thus offered its views on important Acts and Bills. In 1950, it offered suggestions on
housing schemes for industrial workers. The Chamber recommended designs for single,
double and three storey buildings, laying down of a minimum space, proper town planning
schemes, and prioritizing brick supply. It added that buildings needed to be properly
utilized by workers but encouraged industrialists to erect workers quarters with the
governments help so that it could meet the total cost of concrete buildings.177
175
176
177
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce and Labour Dept., The Draft Revised Explosives Rules, BNA, November
1940, File No. 1-R/55 (4), No. 32.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce and Labour Dept., The Bengal Shops and Establishments Bill, 1939, BNA,
August 1941, File No. 1-A/5 (193), No. 14.
Minutes of the DNCC, 17 January, 1950, P. 11.
MCCI : A Journey 83
The Chamber was asked by the Government to review the Factories Act, 1934. The
Chamber Committee forwarded its recommendations after reviewing the Act.178 It
commented on the Shops and Establishment Bill and also suggested that some changes be
made to it and the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947.179 In the same year, it gave its opinion on
important aspects of the East Bengal (Smuggling of Food Grains) Act, 1950. A draft
resolution was submitted by the Chamber Sub-Committee on the Act. It noted its
misgivings about the very wide powers given to local oficers under the Act, particularly in
regard to detention and coniscation through which smuggled or suspected food grains
could be discovered. It also criticized the wastage of coal and disruptions in river transport.
It was of the opinion that the Government should issue clear instructions to the oficers
concerned so that suspected goods could be removed promptly from the vessels of carrying
companies on issue of a clear receipt, and so that vessels could be allowed to proceed
forthwith, unless the detection of smuggled goods on board made it evident that the offence
was committed with the knowledge of the owners.180
In the ASSOCHAP (Associate Chamber of Commerce of Pakistan) Conference, the
Chamber suggested a model Provident Fund Rules. The Chamber participated on the
questionnaire relating to the Sales Tax and forwarded the Chambers Sub-Committees
views on it to the concerned authority. The Chamber also commented on the Arbitration
Rules and the Town Improvement Bill, 1951. In 1951, the Chamber recommended that all
government notiications should be issued simultaneously in East and West Pakistan.181
DNCCI Phase (1952-1959): Reviews, as a major function of the Chamber, continued in its
DNCCI phase. In 1953, the Chambers Customs and Communications Sub-Committee
drafted a procedure for use by the Collector of Land Customs in booking jute to Chalna port.
A proposal was sent to the Pakistan Jute Association to formulate a completely new export
procedure to be submitted to the Government of Pakistan.182
Chamber members became much more preoccupied with import-export policies in

this phase. They took to making comments on government policies in earnest. A Chamber
Members remarks and objections on the Governments new Barter Scheme (Import
Export Policy) was an issue that was reviewed by the Chamber Committee.183 The Chamber
reviewed the new import policy announced by the Pakistan Government which made no
178
179
180
181
182
183
Minutes of the DNCC, 25 July, 1950, P. 37.

Minutes of the DNCC, 16 April, 1951, P. 66.
Minutes of the DNCC, 7 March, 1951, P. 61.
Minutes of the DNCC, 3 January, 17 January, 1 February and 17 February 1951, p. 52, 53, 56, 58.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 3 February, 1953, pp. 185-86.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 24 February, 1953, p. 189.
84 MCCI : A Journey
provisions for imports for the industrial undertakings underway. It was recommended by
the Chamber that provisions be made for newcomers to industrial ields who were not
registered under the Factories Act.184 The Chamber supported a Public Notice [No. 8(53)/1,
dated 1 March 1953] issued by the Chittagong Chamber on the addition of certain items to
the licencable list or items or articles in the import requirements drawn up for the
country.185 The Chambers interactions with the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce are
evident in this instance.
Jute never lost its position as the major concern of the Chamber in this phase. The
Chamber reviewed the East Bengal Jute Dealers Registration Act. It believed that the Act
should be discussed at length by the Minister and Secretary of the Commerce, Labour and
Industries Department with a deputation of the Chamber and the Pakistan Jute
Association.186 The Chamber dealt with the issue successfully.
At this stage, the Chamber reacted to a move by Secretary of the Commerce, Labour
and Industries Department to shift the ofice of the Deputy Chief Controller Imports and
Exports from Chittagong to Dhaka. The Chamber opposed this move. It was later agreed
that no change would be made in the location of the ofice.187
In 1957, the Chamber, along with the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce, opposed the
East Pakistan Development of Industries Control and Regulation Bill, as it would hamper
the interests of the business community and recommended removal of some portions of
the Act. The Chamber also participated in the award process of the Minimum Wage Board
in 1957.188
NCCI Phase (1959-1979): The Chamber entered into another important phase in 1959,
when its review-related function gathered momentum. As this phase offered
multidimensional political experiences to the people of the land, the Chamber passed
through a challenging time. The outlook, objectives, missions and vision of the Chamber
changed completely in this phase. The Chamber gradually transformed itself into an
organization of business concerns that bore the deinite stamp of the land and its people. It
tried to serve the nation faithfully after independence and began to play a signiicant role in
184
185
186
187
188
Minutesof the DNCCI, 9 March, 1953, p. 193.

Minutes of the DNCCI, 24 March, 1953, pp. 195-96.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 18 August, 1953, pp. 223-24.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1 October, 1953, pp. 229-30.
Mr AA Kahlon, President of the Chamber at this time, in his opening address in the 53th Annual General
Meeting (AGM) held on 4 March, 1958 at the Chamber Building in Dhaka mentioned the issue to Mr AK
Fazlul Haq, Governor of East Pakistan. See Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1958, p. 9.
MCCI : A Journey 85
national business policies. It also employed leading economists to review policy matters
methodically. The reviews and suggestions prepared by the Chamber were well received in
Bangladesh and lands beyond. The Chamber increasingly participated in policy making at
the national level and came up with suggestions and recommendations that were
appreciated by relevant bodies.
In this phase, the Chamber circulated all the notiications, circulars, rules and acts,
and ordinances as forwarded by the government, Employers Associations and local
Government bodies to its members. In the initial years of this phase the Pakistan
government had to adopt many acts and ordinances with amendments as and where
required and framed new laws for the country. The Chamber offered suggestions and
recommendations after reviewing some of them. In the sixties, the Chamber commented on
the East Pakistan Labour Statistics Rules, 1962; Draft Regulation of Social Security, 1962;
and East Pakistan Finance Act, 1957. In 1962, the Chamber supported the East Pakistan
Employers Association in its bid to amend the labour law of the country. The Chamber also
suggested amendments to the constitution of the Federation and participated in the
Governments Economic Policy Coordination Commission in 1966.189 In the 1960s, the
Chamber Committee started reviewing various guidelines prepared by the Securities and
Exchange Commission for issue of capital to public limited companies. The Committee
submitted its detailed comments to the Securities and Exchange Commission and played an
important role in the reformulation of the Commissions policies.
A new form of review was added to the list of the Chambers review function in the
middle of the nineteen sixties. In order to place the viewpoints of member-irms before the
Government prior to the preparation of the budget for 1966-67, the Chamber urged the
Ministry of Finance to consider its suggestions and recommendations on taxation.190 It
became normal practice for the Chamber in the following years to offer such suggestions
and recommendations.
After the emergence of Bangladesh in 1971, the Government aimed to introduce new
industrial investment policies for the country and asked the Chamber to come up with its
comments and suggestions. The Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry
welcomed this invitation to offer policy reviews and began to work together with the
government for the economic progress and development of the country.
An emergency meeting of the Chamber Committee was held on 29 March 1972 on the
new governments decision to nationalize major industries and control the foreign trade of
189
190
Minutes of the NCCI, 3 May 1962, p. 530; 28 June 1962, p. 537.

86 MCCI : A Journey
the Country. The Chamber considered the implications of the decision taken by the
government and decided to cooperate with it in helping the government to run nationalized
units successfully. The Chamber also decided to issue a public statement on
nationalization.191
In a subsequent meeting the Chamber Committee again reviewed the prevailing

position in trade and industry following the nationalization of major industries. There were
detailed discussions on production and marketing, including foreign sales, and the labour
situation in respect of nationalized industries, which represented 85% of the total
investment in the country, and also in respect of the remaining units that were not
nationalized. The meeting felt that the government should remove all uncertainties by
announcing its Industrial and Labour Policies and also formulate its long-term objectives
vis--vis the private sector, particularly with regard to foreign investment. However, the
Chamber appreciated the Governments concern to bring about conditions conducive to the
quick development of the country, though it felt that conditions then prevailing appeared to
pose formidable problems for the reconstruction and development of the economy of the
country.192
The Chambers views and comments on suggestions made by different trade

organizations for amendments to the Trade Organisations Ordinance, 1961 were important
review undertakings of the Chamber in this phase.193 In 1977, the NCCI made some valuable
recommendations on Company Laws at the suggestion of the Company Law Reform
Committee. Suggestions and recommendations on the National Budget, Import and Export
Policies continued on a regular basis in this phase.194
MCCI, Dhaka First Phase (1979-1999): With the change of the name from NCCI to MCCI,
the jurisdiction and activities of the Chamber increased manifold. Reviews became an even
more crucial function of the Chamber in this phase. Under the guidance of able economists,
the Economic Research Cell of the Chamber started playing an active role in the commercial
sphere of Bangladesh. This research cell compiled a number of papers which were
appreciated by the government and international agencies as well as its own members. In
this phase, Bangladesh experienced military rule from 1976 to 1991 and parliamentary
democracy from 1991 onwards. Regardless of the political situation, MCCI worked to serve
the people, contribute to the economy of Bangladesh, and help the country in attaining
economic health. The review activities contributed signiicantly to these goals.
191
192
193
194
Minutes of the NCCI, 29 March 1972, p. 1133.

Annual Report of the NCCI, 1975, p. 19; Annual Report of the MCCI, Dacca 1980, p. 38.
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1975, pp. 19-21; Annual Report of the NCCI, 1979, p. 40.
MCCI : A Journey 87
Budget Review for 1996-97. Chief Guest: Mr SAMS Kibria, Minister for Finance
The Chamber reviewed most government and semi-government policies affecting

economic sectors. It made detailed proposals on various issues relating to trade and
industry and also on the National Budget, Five Year Plan, Investment Policy, Industrial
Policy, Energy Policy, Import-Export Policy, Bank Rate Policy, Monetary and Fiscal Policy,
Industrial Policy, and various acts and ordinances. In this phase, the Chamber also opined
on international economic issues pertinent to Bangladesh. The Chambers review on the
situation arising from the currency turmoil in Europe in the 1990s undertaken to protect
the countrys foreign trade is one such example.195
The Government published three gazette notiications on (i) The Insurance

(Amendment) Ordinance, 1984; (ii) The Insurance Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance,
1984; and (iii) Draft Amendments to the Insurance Rules, 1985, laying down terms and
conditions for sanctioning new insurance companies in the private sector. The Chamber
reviewed these and submitted representations to the Government. The MCCI pointed out in
detail, how the terms and conditions could hamper the workings of new insurance
companies in the private sector.196
The MCCI was requested by the Ministry of Commerce to review the Trade
Organisations Ordinance and suggest amendments. The Chamber Committee submitted its
report to the Ministry of Commerce in 1987. The Chamber was of the view that there
should not be any compulsion to join any body and an importer should be free to become
member of any trade body which could render requisite services to it.197
195
196
197
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka 1992, p. 8.

88 MCCI : A Journey
The Government was very concerned about industrial development in the 1980s and
frequently requested suggestions from the Chamber. The Ministry of Industries requested
the Chamber to help it in preparing feasibility reports on industries where foreign
investors would be likely to invest. The Committee agreed that all possible help would be
extended to the Ministry of Industries in such cases.198
The Chamber continued to review the Governments ive year plans during this phase.
The Chamber Committee considered and inalized two papers on the Second Five-Year plan
entitled Analysis of 2nd Five-Year Plan, Few Comments and Suggestions and Role of
Private Sector in the Second Five-Year Plan. These papers were forwarded to the Planning
Commission and the Ministry of Industries with suggested action programs on how the
private sector should be assisted in performing the role envisaged for it in the Plan.199 The
Chamber Committee inalized another comprehensive paper entitled Role of the Private
Sector Economy in Bangladesh which was later followed up by meetings held at the
Planning Commission.200
In this phase, the Chamber played a key role in the denationalization of Bangladeshi
industries. The Chambers review of the impact of nationalization of industries in the
country is noteworthy. The Chamber Committee evaluated the overall impact of
nationalization and inalized a paper entitled Nationalisation of Industries in Bangladesh
A Review of the Experiment: A Case for Denationalisation which demonstrated how the
economy had to suffer on account of large scale nationalization of industries, and also
pointed out how the main objectives of nationalization still remains unfulilled. The review
showed how labour productivity of the nationalized industries had deteriorated and
recommended gradual denationalization of jute and textile mills in keeping with the
Governments desire to follow a mixed economy in the country.201
The Chamber carried out a review of the Banking sector and assessed the Bank Rate
of various banks in this phase. Some examples can be given here of the reviews undertaken.
In May, 1981 the Committee reviewed the situation created by the employees of the
nationalized commercial banks and expressed its concern over its impact on the national
economy.202 The Chamber reviewed the Bank Company Ordinance 1991203 and the
Bankruptcy Act.204 In 1994, the Chambers proposal on the Bankruptcy Act was considered
198
199
200
201
202
203
204

Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka 1980, p. 36, 37.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka 1982, pp. 24-25.
MCCI : A Journey 89
by the government and its recommendations were relected in the aforementioned Act. In
the wake of the government announcement on the devaluation of the Taka in November
1997, the Chamber Committee expressed concern at the enhancement of the bank rate,
particularly when there was a need to support the manufacturing sector to establish its
competitive capabilities.205 As requested by the government, the Chamber gave its
suggestions on the reduction of the bank rate. The Government subsequently reduced the
Bank rate by 1%206, which can be seen as a notable consequence of the Chamber review
process.
The 1990s was a signiicant period in the history of Bangladesh as well as the
Chamber. The Chamber welcomed the 12th Amendment Bill 1991 passed to establish
parliamentary democracy, reviewed the situation, and issued a press release hailing the
event as a landmark in the journey to parliamentary democracy. The Chamber Committee
commented that democracy is a relection of collective wisdom and the wish of the people
for their economic welfare and better governance.207
The Chamber reviewed some nationally important agendas in 1991. In this year, the
MCCI submitted proposed amendments to the Companies Act and the Excise Act, 1944 to
the 12 member Corporate Laws Committee. Moreover, the Committee inalized MCCIs
proposal on amendments to the Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962. The Metropolitan
Chamber also came up with recommendations on the draft Industrial Policy, 1991
announced that year. The Chamber termed it as a major step in the right direction. In 1992,
the Chamber took an active part in the deliberations of the Review Committee which was
constituted by the government for the merger of the Capital Issues (continuance of control)
Act, 1947 with the Securities Exchange Ordinance, 1969.208
In May 1992, the Chamber, in collaboration with the National Press Club, organized a
two-day seminar entitled Policy Options for Economic Breakthrough. As a consequence of
this seminar, the Chamber decided to redouble its efforts to deine the shape and
complexion of the governments market friendly role. The Chamber President suggested
that the government must ensure macro-economic stabilization before trade
liberalization.209
205
206
207
208
209

Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 1992, p. 31, 44.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 1992, pp. 31-37.
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 1992, pp. 6-7.
90 MCCI : A Journey
In this phase, the Chambers contribution to the amendments of the Companies Act
was noteworthy. In 1993, the Chamber Committee examined the inal version of the
proposed Act and came up with several amendments to it which were then handed over to
the Commerce Minister.210 In the following year, the Committee reviewed the inal draft of
the new Companies Act in the light of proposals submitted earlier by the Chamber before
the Review and Expert Committee appointed by the government. It was evident from the
inalized Act that of the Chambers proposals, the government had accepted six, while one
proposal about preparation of Balance Sheets and Proit and Loss Accounts by the branches
of foreign companies was partially accepted.211 MCCI also assessed the Trade Organizations
Rules, 1994 and expressed its concern over several provisions of the new rules.212
In 1994, the Chamber Committee contributed to a draft Bankruptcy Act. After the
draft was inalized, the Committee found that a number of proposals made by it were
relected in the inal version.213 Similarly, the Chamber contributed to the enactment of a
law for consumers protection and found some of its proposals incorporated in the
Consumer Protection Act, 1995.214
During this phase, the Chamber for the irst time expressed its concern on
environmental issues and began reviewing issues relating to the environment. The
Chamber Committee reviewed the proposed action plan of the Ministry of Environment
and decided to point out to the government the practical implications of some of the
environmental requirements. The Committee felt that while environmental standards

ought to be complied with, such compliance should be sought through awareness programs
instead of being enforced through punitive legal provisions.215
In a country affected by recurring natural calamities the MCCI was always concerned
about the economic loss incurred due to loods, cyclones and other natural disasters. After
the devastating lood of 1999, the Chamber obtained from its member-irms detailed
igures on damage caused by the recent loods to their establishments. It then wrote to the
Government seeking policy formulations as well as support for its affected members to
210
211
212
213
214
215

Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 1995, p. 30; Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 1996, p. 33; Annual Report
of the MCCI, Dhaka: 1997, p. 32.
MCCI : A Journey 91
help them overcome dislocations caused by the lood. Several proposals were made by the
Chamber to deal with the critical situation.216
In the context of bilateral trade, particularly with India, the Chamber played a key role
on many issues. The Chamber Committee prepared a comprehensive paper to be submitted
to the government on the issue of transit facilities to be extended to India through allowing
it to use Bangladesh port services.217 The Chamber gave its comments on a public notice
issued by the Government of India, offering duty concessions on imports from Bangladesh
and other SAARC countries. As requested by the Ministry of Commerce, the Chamber came
up with comments on duty exemptions given by India on items to be imported from
Bangladesh and other SAARC countries.218
The Chamber Committee reviewed the governments proposed Telecommunication

Policy and offered detailed comments on it.219 The Committee reviewed the draft Industrial
Policy of the government and gave suggestions on incorporating appropriate Statutory
Regulatory Orders (SROs) and other rules and orders necessary to give effect to the various
provisions of the proposed policy, such as tax incentives, tariff concessions, interest rates
for bank credit facilities, enforceability of Board of Investment decisions etc.220 The
Chamber gave its comments on the Draft National Energy Conservation Law to the Energy
Ministry, emphasizing on promotional efforts and iscal incentives needed to attract
consumers.221
The Chambers suggestion on the Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) system was also an
important contribution of the Chamber during this phase of its existence. The
Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) system had been facing an uncertain future as the
government was considering dropping the scheme. After a review the Chamber Committee
opined that the PSI system could be beneicial for revenue, would limit corruption, and save
importers from harassments, and therefore ought to continue, albeit with proper checks
and balances.222 The Chamber Prepared its comments for the Pre Shipment Inspection (PSI)
Scheme which was due to be reintroduced by the Government. The Chamber later on
Handed over the Comments to the Chairman of NBR.223 The Chamber conducted a meeting
with the National Board of Revenue on the PSI system.224 In the end, the system continued
216
217
218
219
220
221
222
223
224

92 MCCI : A Journey
and it can be said that the Chamber thereby played its part in facilitating trade and
commerce of the country.
The Chambers review on the National Energy Conservation Law was an important
act of its MCCI phase. After reviewing the draft of the National Energy Conservation Law
formulated by the Energy Ministry, the Chamber emphasized the point that promotional
efforts and iscal incentives to consumers were more effective as energy conservation
measures than the punitive legal provisions proposed in the draft law. The Chamber
suggested that the implementation of the proposed law would only strengthen the hands of
corrupt oficials and would lead to further harassment of consumers and more system
loss.225
Because of instances of political turmoil, the Chamber felt that, it had to express its
concern on its effect on the economy. The Chamber reviewed the political situation
regularly in Committee meetings and articulated its unhappiness at the unsettled situation
through press releases. As decided by the Committee, several press-releases were issued
jointly with other trade bodies on the tense situation. Highlighting the dislocations which
were caused by hartals, it urged a dialogue between the major political parties to ind a
solution to the conlict.226 In addition to reacting to hartals, the Chamber issued public
statements during this phase on other important national issues. Reviewing the law and
order situation had become a regular job of the Chamber along with the review of the
economic situation by this time.227 The Chamber Committee assessed the law and order
situation periodically and based on its reviews the Committee issued press releases urging
the Government to take strong action against such activities for the sake of the countrys
economy. Along with FBCCI, the Chamber included other trade bodies to arrive at a broad
consensus for mobilizing public opinion against the restive situation. Some of these
statements are included in the Appendices Section of this book. (See Appendix 22)
MCCI, Dhaka Millennium Phase (2000-Present): In the Millennium Phase of the Chamber,
it began to conduct even more reviews and their nature became multi-dimensional.
Bangladesh had by then successfully entered the world of information and communication
technology. In fact, by now, the country has become signiicantly digitised and connected
with the people and other countries of the world. The use of computers, internet, television,
and mobile sets etc. had increased substantially and trade and commercial activities of
Bangladesh had also become global. The countrys ongoing economic growth and
225
226
227

MCCI : A Journey 93
development was certainly the result of policies adopted by the government and
entrepreneurs but the Metropolitan Chamber played its part in upholding the process. The
Chambers review-related activities accelerated in this phase. Besides regular reviews, the
Chamber had now begun focusing on issues that made review activities look
epoch-making. Macro-economic performance trends and forecasts; socio-economic

achievements; position of Bangladesh in various global rankings; international
recognitions; key policy agenda of the current government; economic and investment
opportunities; potential growth sectors; the governments pledge of Vision 2021;

challenges in the path of the transformation of the economy; and Vision 2050 are some
important and interesting matters that have been taken up for review by the Chamber in
recent times.
The Chamber, in this phase, continued to review traditional matters as well as matters
unique to the era. MCCI actively reviewed draft laws and amendment proposals. Signiicant
reviews undertaken by the Chamber included: National Energy Preservation Act, 2000;
Law on the Formation of the Energy Regulatory Commission 2003; Amendments to the
Companies Act, 2004; the Draft Industrial Policy 2004; Industrial Policy Order 2004;
Repeal of the Bangladesh Flag Vessels (Protection) Ordinance, 1982; the Consumer
Protection Ordinance, 2008; Industrial Policy 2009; the Draft Law on Alternative Dispute
Resolution (ADR); VAT and Customs; Draft Direct Tax Act, 2011; Draft VAT Act, 2011; Draft
Direct Sales Act, 2011; the Companies Act, 1994; the Trade Organisations Ordinance, 1991;
the Societies Registration Act, 1860; Draft Financial Reporting Act, 2010; Draft Companies
Act, 2011; Draft Trade Organisation Act 2011; Draft Direct Sales ActMultilevel Marketing;
the South Asian Free Trade Area (SAFTA) and Bangladesh Governments Trade Agreement;
Draft Competition Act; Strengthening of TCB; Comprehensive Trade Policy; Expediting
Regional Trade and Market Access to India; Draft Coal Policy, Coal Extraction; and Most
Effective Utilization of Coal.
The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) reviewed the
Draft Coal Policy, the government had adopted previously. The Chamber arranged a
discussion session titled, The Draft Coal Policy, Coal Extraction and Most Effective
Utilization of Coal Resources for Industrial Development' featuring experts on coal,
economists, researchers, academics, and business leaders on Thursday, 23 February, 2012

at the Chamber Conference Hall. The objective of the discussion session was to exchange
ideas and views on the draft coal policy between the business community, academia, media,
researchers, and members of the National Committee of the Draft Coal Policy of the
94 MCCI : A Journey
Government. A lively debate ensued in the session on whether Bangladesh should pursue
open pit coal mining or underground mining to extract its coal. The Chamber suggested
that the ownership of coal should remain with the people of Bangladesh and coal should
not be exported anywhere.228
The Chamber Committee reviewed the National Energy Preservation Act, 2000,
enacted by the Government, under which oficials of the Energy Cell of the Ministry of
Energy were authorized to enter any factory premise to ensure that consumption of
electricity was following sanctioned loads and terms. Considering the possibility of the
misuse of the Act and its consequent adverse effect on industry, the Chamber asked the
Government not to go ahead with the move and held discussions with the Ministry of
Energy and Mineral Resources and also issued a press-release on the subject.229
The Chambers recommendation to the National Committee on Exports was an
outcome of the review undertaken by the Chamber. The 8th meeting of the National
Committee on Export, headed by the Prime Minister, was held on 22 March, 2001. As
requested by the Ministry of Commerce, the Chamber sent a detailed proposal giving
suggestions for liberalizing iscal concessions and monetary facilities for export-oriented
industries, promoting regional trade, and improving the capacities of export-oriented
industries, such as frozen food, tea, leather, leather goods, garments and agro-processing
industries.230
Among reviews conducted by the Chamber, those on the economic situation
prevailing in the country have become a regular undertaking of the organization in recent
years. The Chamber Committee reviews the economic situation every three months. The
Chamber looks at major indicators of the economy and representations are made to
concerned ministries of the Government, some of which are then followed up through
meetings and discussions. In particular, the Committee reviews situations relating to trade,
commerce and industry. Based on these reviews, meetings are held in the Ministries of
Commerce, Industries and Planning as well as international development institutions.
Reviews based on comparative data highlight different aspects of the countrys economic
performance. Most of these reviews are picked up by the press and commented upon
editorially in a few papers. Discussions are held with the Ministry of Industries and the
Ministry of Commerce on these reports and measures are often taken by the Government to
tackle some of the problems in the light of Chamber reports. Relevant portions of these
reports are also raised at the meetings of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of
228
229
230
Ibid.
MCCI : A Journey 95
Industries and the Export Promotion Council. In all these meetings, the Chamber submits
detailed comments on the prevailing situation and offers comprehensive remedial
proposals. The reviews help the Chamber to remain in the forefront on discussions and
interactions with the Government, think-tanks, civil society organizations and others,
including the press. Not surprisingly, all inancial institutions, both governmental and
non-governmental, and even the relevant section of the public, look forward to the
quarterly economic review of the Chamber to understand the real economic scenario of the
country.
Reviewing the National Budget has become a regular matter of the Chamber for a long
time now. In the current phase, Budget reviews have become more effective and
research-based. The Chamber organizes discussions on the National Budget before and
after the budget proposal is announced. In recent years, the Chamber, in collaboration with
Maasranga Television, has been organizing a live TV program on Budget reviews. The MCCI
and the Policy Research Institute (PRI) also jointly organize Budget discussions these days.
The review discussion focuses on important aspects of macroeconomic growth, major
Budget Reviews for 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 by MCCI, Dhaka at Maasranga Television
Chief Guest: Mr AMA Muhith, Minister for Finance
96 MCCI : A Journey
sectoral allocations, ADP allocation, revenue collection targets, taxation, safety nets, social
welfare programs, the politics of the budget etc. Major recommendations made during
budget discussions include: Limit Bank Borrowing, Modernization of Revenue
Administration, Removal of New Tax on Life Insurance Policy, Reduction of AIT on Exports
at Source, Capacity Building for Effective and Transparent ADP Implementation,
Concession for Undisclosed Income, Increase in Agriculture Subsidy, and Restraining Rising
Trends in Para-Tariffs etc.
In post-budget discussion sessions, the views of major business sectors are

articulated by their representatives. Renowned economists are usually invited to these
sessions. Sectoral representatives hold discussions focusing on trade and industry in the
perspective of the proposed national budget. In these discussions the Chamber attempts to
scrutinize the budget through critical and constructive analyses. It welcomes a budget if it
relects business concerns. It critiques it in post-budget discussions in case of its failure to
meet the challenges of economic development. In this regard the Chambers post-budget
(2006-07 and 2007-08) reviews are worth-mentioning. MCCI was deeply disappointed
over the provision of the budget allowing continuation of whitening of black money.
Retention of the scheme in the budget was contrary to the expectations of the Chamber. The
Chamber was also dismayed by the retention of a provision in the budget with regard to tax
governance. The Chamber opined that tariff changes in the budget would hurt the countrys
industrial sector.231
Highlighting the budget reviews of the Chamber, one of its former Presidents, Mr M
Anis Ud Dowla, observed, the Government seeks the Chambers suggestions and proposals
for preparing the National Budget. As the MCCI is a research-based organization and is
established not on the basis of gaining interest, it works for the broader national interest.232
In this phase, the Chamber frequently urged the government as well as the opposition
to keep businesses interests out of any political program. Reviewing the economic situation
of the country, the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggested on one
occasion that the government should allow large political gatherings only 'during the
weekend' in a bid to ensure smooth trafic in the city. It urges the government to think
about introducing such a policy in order to keep public life and the low of business
undisrupted. The Chamber also requested the government as well as all political parties to
shun confrontational politics for the sake of economic growth, poverty reduction and
employment creation. The chamber also urged the government to keep its borrowing from
banks to a minimum and within the amount projected in the budget. The Chamber urged
231
Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 2006, p. 125; Annual Report of the MCCI, Dhaka: 2007, p. 43.
Interview of Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, Former President of the MCCI, Dhaka, 11 May 2014.
232
MCCI : A Journey 97
the government to maintain a balanced monetary policy, to keep room for special
provisions for the productive sectors, and to make credit readily available for the private
sector to help boost production in ields and factories, and to assist in brining prices down.
The Chamber also advised the government to revise weekly workdays from the existing
Sunday-Thursday routine to Monday-Friday in order to keep pace with international
markets. MCCI has always advocated improved management in the banking sector and in
capital markets. The Chamber also called upon the government to adopt adequate rules for
public-private partnership projects without delay so that it could attract private
investment from domestic sources.233
4.3 International Connections
Contacts and communication between the Metropolitan Chamber and the external world
from 1904 to date have been immensely facilitated by the location of the Chamber, its
eficiency and commitment, and its years of responsible service to the people in general
and trade and commerce in particular. As the Chamber is located in a transition zone
between South Asia and mainland Southeast Asia and is close to the Bay of Bengal, it
attracts the attention of business people all over the world.233a Enjoying this strategic
location, the Chamber has ventured into lands beyond its geographical jurisdiction from
the beginning of the 20th century.
Hence, in this sub-section, we would like to discuss how the Chamber maintains it
connections with the outside world. The Chamber always has had effective links with trade
bodies from all over the world. Thus it has been playing a vital role in bilateral relationships
and representation of Bangladesh to the outside world. The Chamber maintains regular
links with foreign delegates, ambassadors, high commissioners, ministers and economists,
trade bodies, organizations and leading personalities from politics, society and economic
sectors around the globe to secure and expand the trade and business interests of
Bangladesh.
The promotion of foreign trade has become one of the most important functions of the
Chamber. It has been signing protocols and memorandums of understanding with foreign
chambers of commerce for promoting international trade and commerce. The Chamber
regularly networks with other chambers of commerce of the world through exchange of
delegations, visits and correspondence and receiving international agencies, organizations,
associations and government and non-government delegations. From 1979, the Chambers
International Relations sub-committee has been working actively to foster the Chambers
international connections.
233
233a
Daily Star, Thursday, 23 January, 2014.

Aksadul Alam, Bengal: The Gateway of Contacts and Communications between India ans Southeast Asia Early Phase, Dhaka University Studies, 2012.
98 MCCI : A Journey
NCC Phase (1904-1950): During this phase, the Chamber was completely dominated by
foreign merchants and entrepreneurs who constituted its members then. They ixed its
vision and mission with the aim of maximizing proit out of the business from the region
instead of exploring trade links with the wider world. The early documents, though scanty,
indicate that the Chamber had close connections with the Bengal Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (BCCI) at its inception. This association provided at least a little scope to NCC
to meet a few foreign delegations and business personnel.
After 1947, NCC went under the jurisdiction of the East Bengal provincial
government. At this stage, Chamber representatives as well as Chamber Committee
Members became proactive regarding the Chambers global connections and foreign
affairs. The Government of Pakistan also made Chamber members part of its representative
bodies in international conferences. The Chambers afiliation with the International
Labour Organization at this stage is particularly noteworthy. This is relected in the Minutes
of Chamber Committee proceedings. The 33rd ILO Conference, held in May 1950 in Geneva
was a high proile international conference where a Chamber representative was called
upon to participate.234 However, in this phase, no foreign trade missions or business
delegates were seen to visit the Chamber.
On the basis of the information found in the Chambers Annual Reports and Minutes,
it can be assumed that this was the embryonic phase of the Chambers international
connectivity. A comprehensive picture of the international affairs of the Narayanganj
Chamber of Commerce is however yet to be retrieved from the archival materials which no
doubt exist somewhere.
DNCC Phase (1950-1952): Since the 1950s, the Chamber started forging connections with
the wider world. The Chamber Committee began visiting other Chambers outside the
region from time to time to create business friendly environments for the Chamber across
the world and to discover new ields of trade and commerce for its members. In 1951, when
the Congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire was held in
London the Federation asked DNCC to participate in discussions.235
The 17th Congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire
was held in June 1951 in London. Two Chamber members were then invited to attend the
event as delegates. This was no doubt the result of a determined endeavor on the part of the
Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce.236
234
235
236
Minutes of the DNCC, 4 April 1950, p. 21.

Minutes of the DNCC, 8 August 1950, p. 38.
Minutes of the DNCC, 19 December 1950, p. 49.
MCCI : A Journey 99
The Chamber continued sending its representatives to ILO conferences in these years.
When the Chamber received a request to put forward the name of a delegate for the Fourth
Session of the Inland Transport Committee of the ILO to be held in Geneva, the name of Mr
AA Kahlon was forwarded.237 But because of technical dificulties posed by the Pakistan
Government, it was not possible for him to attend the conference.238 Though the Chamber
was not represented in the event, the recognition of ILO was of signiicance as a token of the
Chambers growing international standing.
In 1952, the ILO once again requested the Chamber to nominate four delegates or
advisors to the International Labour Conference in Geneva in June of that year. The names
of Mr AR Faridi and Mr SE Masood were approved by the Chamber Committee but once
again these Chamber representatives failed to join the conference because of the Pakistan
Governments attitude.239 In the same year though, the Pakistan Government asked for
applications from one or two candidates of the Chamber for training under the ILO
Program of Fellowship.240
During this phase, distinguished visitors including High Commissioners of different

countries visited the Chamber to discuss issues relating to the development of trade and
commerce. The High Commissioner of India visited the Chambers ofice in Narayanganj in
July 1952.241 The ILO Survey Commission visited the Chamber ofice in November 1952.242
In December 1952, the High Commissioner for UK, Sir Gilbert Laithwaite, met the Chamber
Committee.243
The DNCC phase was the shortest in its history. But it was in this phase that the
Chamber started gaining international recognition from organizations such as ILO and
began hosting visits of the High Commissioner of India and other countries.
DNCCI Phase (1952-1959): The Chambers connections with the wider world increased
substantially during this phase. Visits by distinguished visitors as well as meetings of
overseas visitors with the Chamber Committee became a regular phenomenon in this
period. Invitations from various trade bodies from foreign countries, meetings with
international trade missions, trade delegations and prominent igures of foreign countries
continued on a regular basis at this time.
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
Minutes of the DNCC, 16 November 1951, p. 92.

Minutesof the DNCC, 15 April 1952, p. 119.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 12 June 1952, p. 127.
100 MCCI : A Journey
The Chamber was requested to send delegates and attend the 18th Congress of the
Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire held in Montreal, Canada in
1953.244 In 1955, the Chamber felicitated the British High Commissioner in Pakistan and
acknowledging this gesture, the High Commissioner conveyed to the Chamber President
and Committee his warm appreciation.245
When the Acting Trade Commissioner of the United Kingdom visited East Pakistan in
September 1953, the Chamber decided to invite him to its ofice.246 In the same year when
the American Ambassador visited East Bengal he was invited to the Chamber.247
In 1954, for the irst time, the Chamber came to an agreement with the London
Chamber of Commerce in response to the latters request to it to become an examining
authority in this part of the world. The Chamber accepted the request and a supervisory
committee was set up to deal with the matter. From this time onwards, the Chamber has
been conducting examinations which forged a special relationship between DNCCI and the
London Chamber.248 The Permanent Secretary to the United Kingdom Board of Trade, Sir
Frank Lee, visited the Chamber in 1954 and met Committee members and discussed issues
of mutual interest.249
During this phase, the Chamber Committee arranged meetings of its members with an
United States Trade Mission. Only one foreign delegate visited the Chamber in 1955, but in
the following years the number of such visiting delegates increased remarkably. In 1957,
the Chamber hosted a numbers of visitors from countries across the world. Among its
visitors were Mr M Haas, French Trade Counselor in Pakistan, and Mr Hernan Romero, an
ILO expert on social security.250 In the last year of this phase, important international
igures in the ield of trade and commerce met the Chamber Committee, effectively
enhancing Chamber networking across the world. Among them were: Mr HM Curry, Chief
of the Economic Division of the American Embassy, Karachi; Mr Eugene Braderman,
Director of International Trade (Far Eastern Division), US Department of Commerce; Mr RF
Kinsey and Mr DN Twyford of the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, UK; members of
the World Banks Economic Mission, headed by Mr G Neil Perry; and Mr DGA Bentliffe, UK
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
Minutes of the DNCCI, 19 June 1953, p. 212.

Minutes of the DNCCI, 12 July 1955, p. 82.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 8 September 1953, p. 227.
Annual Report of the DNCCI: 1954, p. 12.
Annual Report of the DNCCI: 1954, p. 97.
Annual Report of the DNCCI: 1957, p. 32, 33.
MCCI : A Journey 101
Trade Commissioner.251 In addition, the Senior Trade Commissioner of the United Kingdom
and the UK High Commissioner also visited the Chamber this year.252
In this phase, the Chambers international connections developed signiicantly and

meetings and negotiations between the Chamber and trade bodies or the representatives of
trade bodies from the United States and United Kingdom increased.
NCCI Phase (1959-1979): This was an even more signiicant phase in the history of the
Chambers developing international connections. In particular, after the independence of
Bangladesh in 1971 the Chambers international connections lourished. The Chambers
association with international trade bodies continued in the nineteen sixties as it had done
in its last phase but at this time the Chamber hosted visits from trade bodies from Japan,
France, Germany, Ceylon, Spain and Italy in addition to USA and UK.
A number of meetings were held in the Chambers ofice with members of the
Burmese Trade Mission, Australian Trade Commissioner, members of the Yugoslav
Economic Mission, Commercial Attach of American Embassy, Karachi, and a visiting ILO
expert during 1960-61.253 A Burmese Trade Mission again visited the Chamber in 1962.
The Director of the US Investment Development Mission thanked and appreciated the
Chamber President for its whole-hearted support and cooperation in making its visit a
success. The Chambers contributions in the receptions arranged for the visits of the King
and Queen of Malaya254 and the Crown Prince and Princess of Japan and King and Queen of
Thailand was appreciated by the Pakistan government.255
In this phase the Chamber was asked to nominate a representative by the Commission
on Asian and Far Eastern Affairs for its 18th Session in Tokyo in March 1962. However, the
Chamber was not able to send its representatives to Tokyo because of the Governments
apathy to the Chamber.256 This was also the case with the Chicago International Trade Fair
held in July-August, 1962 where Chamber representatives were once again invited.257
The Chamber received a letter from a mission of French bankers and industrialists in
response to the cordiality shown by it. The letter also welcomed Chamber members to visit
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
Annual Report of the DNCCI: 1958, pp. 33-34.

Annual Report of the NCCI: 1959, p. 28.
Minutes of the NCCI, 11 January 1962, pp. 508-09.
Minutes of the NCCI, 8 February 1962, p. 515; 12 April 1962, p. 524.
Minutes of the NCCI, 8 February 1962, p. 515.
Paris in 1962,258 though the Chamber could not avail the invitation. A French Trade Mission
visited the Chamber once again in this phase in 1966.259
A joint meeting of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the
Pakistan Jute Association was held with the Italian Trade Delegation at the Chamber
Assembly Hall in July 1964. The event was a great success and, as a consequence, the
relationship with Italy developed visibly and trade between Italy and Pakistan increased
substantially.260
1968 was especially signiicant for the Chamber for its international connections. A
number of trade delegations from Europe, America and East Asia had meetings with NCCI
this year. Trade delegations and economic missions from China, Italy, Germany, Spain,
Britain and USA came here at this time and discussed various aspects of trade and
commerce with Chamber members.261
On the basis of the Chambers Annual Reports and Minutes, it may be concluded that
the years between 1969 and 1972 were barren ones for the Chambers international
connectivity, as there is no noteworthy event mentioned in the Annual Reports or Minutes.
This could be because of the mass upsurge of the period, the Bangladesh Liberation
Movement, and the condition of the country immediately after independence. Clearly, the
Chamber could not maintain its global links during this time. The one exception to this was
in the year after the independence, when the Bharat Chamber of Commerce, Calcutta,
offered its help to promote trade and economic collaboration with Bangladesh and
extended an invitation to a Trade and Industrial Delegation from NCCI to explore the
possibilities of collaboration.262
The Chambers international connections through regular visits and meetings

between the NCCI and foreign trade bodies continued in this phase. At the request of the
Export Promotion Bureau, for example, the Chamber decided to meet the visiting Chief
Executive of London Import Opportunities Ofice in 1976.263 A trade delegation from
Pakistan met Chamber members and discussed issues related to export and import
facilities in July, 1976.264 In 1977, a Japanese trade delegation visited the Chamber.265
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265

Annual Report of the NCCI: 1964, p. 112-14.
Minutes of the NCCI: 4 February 1972, p. 1122.
Minutes of the NCCI: 29 January 1976, p. 1304.
Minutes of the NCCI: 13 June 1976, p. 1325.
Minutes of the NCCI: 12 April 1977, p. 1387.
Former President of the MCCI Mr M Anis Ud Dowla is seen exchanging greetings with the
late Indian Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, New Delhi, India in 1977.
The Government of Bangladesh requested the Chamber to meet a delegation from China and
another one from the Muslim World Economic Council of Indonesia in the same year.266 Also
in 1976, the NCCI Committee met a Review Mission from the International Trade Centre, and
a National Bank of Paris Representative.267 In 1978-79, the Chamber kept up the pace of
such appointments. It conducted high level meetings with the Economic Mission of Italian
traders and industrialists, a 10 Member Nepalese Trade Delegation, a Joint Mission from
Investment Promotion Services, Switzerland, a 16 Member Trade Delegation from
Singapore, a 16 Member General Trade Delegation from Pakistan, the IMF Director Mr
Stephenson, the Vice President of US Overseas Private Investment Corporation Mr Robert S
Smith, a 12 Member Business Delegation from Republic of Korea, the British Executive
Service Director Mr EJ Westnedge, the UNCTAD GSP Project Director Mr H Cabillos, the
UNCTAD GSP Project Associate Director, a Trade Mission of the Indian Engineering Industry
and so on.268 The Chamber Committee also met Sir Cyrill Pitts, President,
266
267
268
Minutes of the NCCI: 1 March 1977, p. 1383.

Annual Report of the NCCI: 1978, p. 33; Annual Report of the NCCI: 1979, pp. 29-30; Annual Report of the
MCCI: Dacca, p. 30.
India-Pakistan-Bangladesh Association and South Asia Trade Committee of Confederation

of British Industry on February, 1979 and discussed the possibilities of more British
investments in Bangladesh.269
In this phase, the Chamber Secretary Mr CK Hyder was invited by the Government of
the United States to visit that country.270 The President of the Chamber was included in a
Government delegation to the Canton Trade Fair.271 Later that year, Chamber Committee
members accompanied a government delegation to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and
Japan to invite foreign investors to Bangladesh.272
In April 1977, the Secretary of the Chamber attended a conference of the International
Labour Organization in Geneva. The Secretary then visited the International Chamber of
Commerce in Paris and the London Chamber of Commerce to acquaint himself with their
activities at the suggestion of the Chamber Committee.273
The Chambers Sub-Committee on International Relations was formed in 1978 to
further promote its international connections. In the last year of this phase, the Chamber
commissioned a comprehensive paper to assess the merits and demerits of a common
market amongst South Asian countries. The Chamber Economic Research Cell played a key
role in that initiative.274 In this way the Chamber contributed in the planning stage to the
making of a South Asian regional forum.
MCCI, Dhaka: First Phase (1979-1999): The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (MCCI) has always wanted to connect with the wider world. The Sub-Committee
on International Relations organized regular meetings with foreign trade delegations of
different countries in and outside Bangladesh in this phase. The Chamber also formed
Sub-Committees on Foreign Investment and International Trade Fair and Tariff for this
purpose. These committees began to play effective roles in connecting the Chamber and
Bangladesh business to the wider economic world.
At the beginning of this phase, the Chamber held meetings with the Consul General for
Bangladesh in Istanbul and the CBI Director of Netherlands and discussed the possibilities
of trade and commerce between Bangladesh and these two countries.275 Over the next few
269
270
271
272
273
274
275

Minutes of the NCCI, 29 January 1976, p. 1304.
Minutes of the NCCI, 15 July 1976, p. 1330.
Minutes of the NCCI, 12 April 1977, pp. 1396-97.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1980, pp. 30-31.
Mr P Blaker, MP, Honble British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs speaking
at a meeting held in 1981 with the business community held at the Conference Hall of MCCI
years the Chambers activities increased manifold. Chamber members met a Review
Mission of the International Trade Centre, Geneva, the Swedish International Development
Agency, an 8 Members delegation from the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, and another one from the British Executive Service Overseas, representatives
from England and South Asian Trade Association- London, a team led by the World Banks
Divisional Chief for Industrial Development and Finance for South Asia, the British Minister
for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, a delegation of the Association of Indian
Engineering Industry, the World Banks Mission on Development and Finance Division of
South Asia Projects Department, the President of Fuji Economic Planning Corporation of
Japan, a World Bank team, representatives from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, and
an Advisor to the Belgian Federation of Industry.276
The Chamber also arranged several meetings and held negotiations with a large
number of foreign delegates in this phase. These meetings had important consequence for
the economic development of the country. Some of the important meetings held at this
juncture included meetings with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the US
Centre for Entrepreneurial Management, the Chamber of Commerce Malaya, a Canadian
Business team, the Bangladesh Japan Joint Committee for Commercial and Economic
Cooperation, a delegation from PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, India, a 13
member delegation from the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
the World Bank and Asian Development Bank Team on Investment Financing, a delegation
from the Malaysian Overseas Investment Corporation, a British Trade mission, a delegation
from the Arab Chamber of Commerce, a high-powered team from IMF, the Commonwealth
Development Corporation, the Minister for Science and Technology of the Republic of
276
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1981, pp. 28-29; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1982, p. 19.
Korea, a delegation of Japan Industrial Development Organization, the Korean Trade and
Investment Delegation, an EEC Investors mission, a China Trade and Investment delegation
and a Turkish Trade delegation.277
The Chamber arranged a luncheon meeting with a visiting Investment Mission of the
Singapore Trade Development Board and Singapore Confederation of Industry at the
request of the Board of Investment in November, 1997 where they discussed the
possibilities of investment and joint venture investments from Singapore.278 The Chamber
held a meeting with the South Asian Group of Eminent Persons in February, 1998. The
group recognized the importance of the Chamber and looked forward to more involvement
and cooperation from the Chamber in the future while inalizing the formation and location
of the Think Tank for forging closer economic cooperation within SAARC countries.279
Chamber representatives visited numerous countries in this phase, either as part of
government delegations or as part of its teams. A high-powered 10 member delegation
representing both the public and private sectors led by the Chamber President visited
Delhi, in November 1981. This delegation visited the Indian Industrial Trade Fair and
discussed the issue of developing bilateral trade relationships between the trade and
commerce sectors of India and Bangladesh.280
Mr Syed Manzur Elahi (4th from left), President of MCCI, welcoming the Indian Investment Delegation
from the Confederation of Engineering Industry, India in its Conference Hall on 7 January, 1990
277
278
279
280
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1983, p. 18; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1984, p. 25; Annual Report
of the MCCI: Dacca, 1985, p. 19; Bangladesh Malaysia Joint Colloquium Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka,
1987, p. 22; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1988, p. 22; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1989, p. 26;
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1990, p. 40, 44; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1996, p. 25.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1998, p. 33.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1982, p. 26.
In 1987, the Committee sent a Trade Delegation to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and
Australia to explore possibilities of further expansion of trade with these countries. This
visit proved to be of importance since it provided opportunities to hold discussions on
various issues relating to bilateral trade relationships which were very fruitful both in the
short and long term.281 In 1989, a Delegation team led by the Chambers President went to
West Germany, Sweden, the UK and Belgium. This visit helped establish institutional
contacts with the Confederation of British Industry, the Confederation of the German
Chamber of Commerce, the German Employers Federation and the Stockholm Chamber of
Commerce. The Chambers image was no doubt uplifted through the address of the
Chamber President at a seminar organized by the Confederation of British Industry of
Bangladesh that year.282
A Chamber delegation went to New Delhi in 1989. Another one left Dhaka to join the
8th Engineering Trade Fair sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Led
by the President, a delegation met the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry in
Calcutta, the Confederation of Indian Chamber of Commerce, and the Punjab-Hariana and
Hariana-Delhi Chamber of Commerce. It also held discussions with the Confederation of
Indian Engineering Industry. After the visit, a report was submitted to the Ministry as to
how bilateral trade between Bangladesh and India could be improved.283
Represented by its President and the Secretary General, the Chamber Committee
participated in the Bangladesh Festival in London in July, 1994. A stall set up by the
Chamber displayed important products of some of the member-irms. The Chamber
attended a number of international conferences and meetings at the request of different
ministries and boards.
At the request of the Board of Investment, the President and the Vice-President went
as part of a delegation led by the Minister for Finance to participate at the seminar on
Bangladesh Investment Climate and Trade Opportunities in Rome from January 30
February 1, 1995.284 At the request of the Ministry of Commerce, a member of the
Committee attended the 6th Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission in
Islamabad in July, 1995.285 The Chamber organized an Investment Seminar jointly with US
Foreign Commercial Service, Singapore. Chamber members participated in the 32nd World
Congress of the ICC in Shanghai in April, 1997.286 MCCI organized an Investment Seminar in
281
282
283
284
285
286

Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1989, pp. 37-38.
Celebrating One Year International Business Programme (IBP) in Dhaka, September, 2001
Singapore, jointly with the Singapore Confederation of Industries and Singapore Trade
Development Board in 1999 in a bid to impress the businessmen of Singapore on
investment opportunities in Bangladesh. The Committee met Dr Joseph Stiglitz, Chief
Economist and Senior Vice-President of the World Bank, Washington, the Country Director
and other senior oficials of the World Bank Resident Mission in Bangladesh in 1997. They
discussed the overall economic situation in the country.287 The Chamber Secretary-General
attended the 3rd WTO Ministerial Conference in December 1999, in Seattle, USA.288
During this phase, the Chamber developed its relationships with international
development organizations, trade delegations and trade missions of different countries.
Important discussions and agreements took place between the Chamber and many
prominent international bodies. Developing international ties had become even more
central to the Chambers work in the millennium phase of the Chambers history.
MCCI, Dhaka: Millennium Phase (2000-Present): The Metropolitan Chamber entered its
new Millennium phase with substantial structural capacity and a wealth of experience
gained from what was by then a 75 year history. In the fast globalizing world, the Chamber
has been able to keep pace with the demands of the time. To face the challenges of global
trade and commerce and of course, the needs of member-irms, the Chamber has
287
288

transformed its vision and mission statement in this phase. In regard to its wider world
connections, the Chamber has been working persistently to achieve its goals.
Several trade delegations visited the Chamber at the beginning of the phase. Many
Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) were signed at this time. In 2000, a trade
delegation from Singapore visited Bangladesh; the Chamber penned a MoU with them and
provided host facilities. A Sri Lankan Trade Delegation also visited the Chamber the same
year.289
In this phase, a number of Trade Missions, delegations and representatives of

Multilateral Development Organizations visited the Chamber. The Chamber received
business delegations from neighboring and other countries and its members visited
numerous countries and participated in many international conferences related to trade
and commerce. At the beginning of the millennium, the Chamber President, along with the
Secretary-General, was a part of the Bangladesh Delegation of the 4th WTO Ministerial
Meeting in Doha, Qatar in November 2001.290 The Chamber became a member of the South
Asian Alliance for Responsive Business (SARB), a business bodies forum created to
promote socially responsible business practices in the South Asian sub-region, considering
this to be an integral part of corporate social responsibility.291
The Chamber held a meeting with Mr Nicholas Stern, Chief Economist and Senior
Vice-President of the World Bank, Washington DC in the Chamber Ofice on 8 January 2002.
Mr Abdul Razak Dawood, Minister of Commerce, Industries and Production of Pakistan,
visited the Chamber and spoke to members of MCCI on 29 January. The Chamber hosted a
luncheon meeting in honour of Mr David Kilgour, MP, Secretary of State for Asia Paciic,
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Government of Canada on 1 April,
and on 27 August an event in honour of Rt Hon Donald C Mckinnon, Commonwealth
Secretary General, at the MCCI ofice. The Chamber held a discussion meeting on 4
September with the visiting President of the Japanese Commerce and Industry Association
and a JETRO Representative at the MCCI ofice.
In 2003, a Mission of the Asian Development Bank met members of MCCI on 20 July.
Dr Joseph E Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate and Professor of Finance and Economics, Columbia
Business School, USA addressed members of MCCI, Dhaka at the Chamber ofice on 13
August in the same year. The Ambassador of USA in Bangladesh, Mr Harry K Thomas,
visited MCCI on 24 September. Lord Swaraj Paul, a member of the British House of Lords,
289
290
291

held a meeting with members of the Chamber on 8 October 2003. The British High
Commissioner and the Deputy High Commissioner were present at the meeting. The
Chamber held a meeting on 20 October with Mr Guy Gagnon, Director, Asia Bureau,
Industrial Cooperation Programme, Canadian Partnership Branch and Canadian
International Development Agency (CIDA), at the MCCI ofice.
The Australian High Commissioner, Ms. Lorraine Barker, met the Chamber Committee
in March 2004 and discussed the possibilities of enhancing trade between Bangladesh and
Australia.292 The Chamber held a discussion and dinner meeting on 24 June, 2004 with the
Singapore Prime Minister, Mr Goh Chok Tong at a city hotel. In the same year, the Chamber
held a meeting on 11 October with the visiting Organisation Development Adviser of the
Confederation of Danish Industries at the MCCI ofice. In 2004, the Chamber signed a MoU
with two Australian trade bodies, viz., Australian Business Limited and State Chamber of
Commerce (New South Wales) as well as the Confederation of Nepalese Industries.293 A
delegation led by the Minister for Finance and Planning of Bangladesh, attended the World
Economic Forums Summit in New Delhi in December 2004 and the Chamber was an
integral part of this delegation.294
In 2005, an 11-member Chinese Government Economic and Trade Delegation headed

by Mr Wang Chao, the irst Vice-Governor of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous
Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China visited the Chamber on 8 June. The delegation
discussed matters relating to trade between Bangladesh and China. In the same year a
10-member delegation from the Chamber visited Yunnan Province, Peoples Republic of
China from 10 to 17 December at the invitation of the Vice Governor, Dehong Prefecture,
Yunnan Province.
A German Business Mission visited and exchanged views with members of the
Chamber on 22 May 2006. The visit was organized by the German Asia-Paciic Business
Association and was sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics & Technology,
Germany. The team expressed interest in investing in textile and other sectors in
Bangladesh. The MCCI delegation held meetings in March with the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) and discussed issues relating to the workings of the South Asian Free Trade
Agreement (SAFTA) that went into effect from 1 July 2006.
A delegation was sent to the Peoples Republic of China at the invitation of the
Governor of the Yunnan Province of China on December, 2005. Its members talked about
292
293
294

Ibid.
border trade and bilateral issues, attended the China-Myanmar Border Trade Fair, and
signed two MoUs with the Yunnan Provincial Chamber of Commerce and Yunnan Fujian
Chamber of Commerce. Another delegation was sent to Sri Lanka in the same year; it
discussed bilateral issues and learnt about the Sri Lankan experience of their Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) with India. This delegation also discussed the feasibility of using Colombo
Port since Singapore Port was becoming more and more expensive.295 The Chambers
former President, Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, and the Secretary-General, Mr CK Hyder
participated at the 7th International Conference on Corporate Governance held in London
in May 2006.296
Another signiicant event relating to the international connections of the Chamber

took place in 2007. An eight-member MCCI delegation headed by its President attended the
Second SAARC Business Conclave held at Bombay, India, on 17-18 February at the
invitation of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Conclave
was organized to project the strategic outlook and contemporary mindset of SAARC
member countries on development issues from a regional as well as a global perspective.
The Chamber Delegation called on the Governor, Reserve Bank of India, and Chairman,
Bombay Stock Exchange, on 19 February. The delegation was received warmly at both
institutions. They exchanged views on bilateral cooperation and discussed issues of mutual
beneit.297
A 17-member Thai Board of Investment Delegation visited the Chamber on 28 March
2007. The delegation was led by Mr Vittaya Praisuwan, the Executive Investment Adviser,
Thailand Board of Investment. The Thai delegation showed keen interest in Bangladeshs
investment climate. Its members indicated that Thai investors would look forward to
utilizing investment opportunities in Bangladesh in the near future.
A team of experts from the World Bank visited the Chamber on 14 June, 2004 to hold
a pre-consultation meeting with leaders of the private sector to get their views. A German
business delegation led by Mr Peter Clasen from the OAV (German Asia-Paciic Business
Association), along with oficials of the German Embassy in Bangladesh, visited the
Chamber on 27 October. The discussion stressed the importance of Germany as a major
trading partner of Bangladesh and underscored the need for German investment,
particularly in conventional and renewable power generation.298 Delegations from
Thailand, the Africa Center for Economic Transformation (ACET) and the Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII), also visited the Chamber during this phase.299
295
296
297
298
299

The Chamber participated in an event titled South Europe Meets South Asia in
February 2009. This was a technical and business match-making collaboration for IT and
IT-enabled services and the Processed Food Sectors. The event was held in Colombo under
the auspices of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.300
The Chamber participated in an Investment Seminar on Bangladesh held in Singapore

in February, 2010. Ms. Nihad Kabir, the Vice-President of the Chamber, was invited by the
Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund (BICF) to attend the Public Private Dialogue Global
Workshop in Vienna. Ms. Kabir was able to make various suggestions on policy issues,
capacity building and good governance at the workshop.301 A 27-member business mission
from Thailand visited the Chamber on September, 2010. Its members discussed bilateral
relationships, transfer of Thai technology to Bangladesh, and investments in the agro
sectors of Bangladesh.302 The Chamber President, Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, participated at the
regional conference, Integrating BIMSTEC 2010 in Assam, India in November 2010.303
A delegation of business leaders from CII paid a courtesy visit to the Chamber in May,
2011. The Chamber President, Mr Amjad Khan Chowdhury, attended the 1st meeting of the
South Asia Forum in New Delhi on September, 2011. He was the only representative from
the private sector of Bangladesh in the 13-member delegation. Chamber Vice-President Ms.
Nihad Kabir was a speaker at a seminar titled Emerging Business Opportunities in
Bangladesh held in Singapore, in March 2012.304 In April and May of the same year,
A high-powered delegation from the Republic of Singapore headed by Mr Zulkili Masagos,

Honble Minister of State for Foreign and Home Affairs, visited the Chamber on 4 September, 2012
300
301
302
303
304

Annual Reportof the MCCI: Dhaka, 2012, p. 29.
delegations from the Chamber visited Myanmar and Vietnam respectively. The delegation
discussed bilateral trade and cooperation in business matters between Bangladesh and the
two countries.305 In 2012, a four member team led by Mr Badal Rag from the Times of India
visited the Chamber and proposed to set up a forum partnering with media and business
communities from both countries.306
A German(OAV) delegation led by Mr Peter Clasen visited the Chamber on

19 May 2014 and exchanged views with the Business Community.
A business delegation led by the Czech Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr Martin
Kuba visited the Chamber and held meetings and took part in a business seminar on 11
March 2013. The Czech delegation consisted of two ministers and 60 members from
different sectors. Its members were keen to establish business ties with Bangladesh. In this
connection, MCCIs Vice-President Barrister Ms. Nihad Kabir made a presentation on behalf
of the Chamber to the Czech Business Delegation highlighting Bangladesh as a potential
destination for Czech investment which was well-appreciated by the visitors.307
The Country Representative in Bangladesh for the Japan External Trade Organization
(JETRO), Mr Kei Kawano, along with his colleagues, paid a courtesy visit to the Chamber on
8 July 2013. Mr Kawano was keen to promote Japanese investment in Bangladesh and
explained the information gaps that existed among potential Japanese investors. MCCI
assured all possible cooperation to JETRO and potential Japanese investors so that they
could invest in Bangladesh. MCCI declared its intention to work together with JETRO in the
future and its keenness to establish a long term working relationship with the
organization.308
305
306
307
308

At the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chamber organized a meeting
with private sector representatives of the USA under the Bangladesh-USA Partnership
Dialogue (Foreign Secretary Level) held at the Chamber Building on 27 May 2013. The US
team consisted primarily of US citizens who were from the Bangladeshi diaspora in USA.
The Bangladesh side was led by the Chamber President, Mrs. Rokia A Rahman, and the
discussion was moderated by Vice-President Mr Kamran T Rahman. The US Ambassador,
Mr Dan W Mozena, joined the discussion along with senior Embassy oficials. The US team
suggested that such interactions should take place on a regular basis. They expected that a
team from the Bangladesh business community should visit the USA soon and interact with
different trade and afiliated bodies in USA. They expressed their keenness to facilitate and
support such a visit. The issue of the macroeconomic situation of Bangladesh, regulatory
measures, tariff policies, investment in Bangladesh and prospects of IT and IT services in
Bangladesh were emphasized in the meeting.309 Also at the request of the Ministry of
Womens and Children Affairs, the MCCI organized a panel discussion on Development of
Women Entrepreneurship that was followed by a dinner at the Ruposhi Bangla Hotel on 18
June 2013, in honour of visiting ministers and delegates of the 10th Commonwealth
Womens Affairs Ministers.310
A delegation from MCCI led by its President visited Bhutan during June 17-20, 2013.
Its members were well received and had meetings with representatives of the Ministry of
Economic Affairs and the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Mr Sonam P Wangdi,
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Economic Affairs, briefed the delegation on the economy of
Bhutan and investment opportunities for foreign and local investors in the country.
Thereafter, Mr Phub Tshering, the Secretary-General of the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce
and Industry received the delegation at its premises. The Chamber delegation had detailed
interaction and meetings with the business community of Bhutan during their visit.311
The Chamber organized a number of international seminars, symposiums and

conferences for the enhancement of the countrys trade and commerce during this
phase. The Metropolitan Chamber also provided inancial and logistic support to the
International Chamber of Commerce - Bangladesh (ICC-Bangladesh) to help it organize
the ICC Asia Conference in Dhaka in November, 2000.312 The Chamber co-sponsored
with Save the Children, UK, a discussion program of business leaders, NGO heads and
donor representatives on the eve of the visit of Her Royal Highness, Princess Anne, in
309
310
311
312
November, 2000.313 In 2001, the Chamber collaborated with the Center for Policy Dialogue
(CPD) on a study on Global Competition whose outcome was published by the World
Economic Forum, Geneva.314 Jointly with Singapore Manufacturers Federation, Singapore
Enterprises Ltd., Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore and the Hong Kong and
Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, the Chamber organized an Investors Conference in
Singapore in May, 2004. Prominent Singapore entrepreneurs were present at the event.315
As mentioned earlier, NCC was dominated by British businessmen in its NCC phase.
Their focus was maximizing business interests through the Chamber. However, any kind of
worldwide networking and developing connections for the development of East Bengal
was absent in their agenda at the time. In the DNCC phase, the Chamber worked in tandem
with the Pakistan Government. International activities of the Chamber were at times
hampered by it in this phase, since the Chamber had to cope with the governments biased
decisions. In the DNCC phase, the Chamber was forced to cancel its nomination for
representatives to attend the conference of the International Labour Organization.316
During the DNCCI phase, the Chamber wanted to meet the Indian High Level Trade
Delegation which was visiting Pakistan in an effort to reach a trade agreement in 1955. The
Indian Delegation was accompanied by two representatives of the Federation of Indian
Chambers of Commerce and Industry. But the Government of Pakistan did not allow DNCCI
members to meet the Indian delegation. The Chamber did not even get permission to send
its representatives. As a result, the Chamber failed to contribute to the important
agreement signed between India and Pakistan. Such non-cooperation from the Pakistan
Government towards the Chamber in East Bengal is in evidence throughout the DNCCI
phase. Similar obstacles were also posed by the government on other occasions, in the irst
part of the NCCI phase relating to international networking. The Chamber had to overcome
many obstacles, including non-cooperation of the Central Government, untill 1971. The
Chambers international connections became easier and highly functional only in
independent Bangladesh. In the MCCI, Dhaka phase, and even more obviously during this
new millennium, the international associations of the Chamber have increased manifold.
Mr Farooq Ahmed, the current MCCI Secretary-General of the Chamber, opines on its
international connections MCCI is one of the 28 partners of SAARC Trade Promotion
Network and the only private sector Liaison Center in the network of Enterprise Outreach
Service (EOS) of the World Bank Group in Bangladesh. Members of the Chamber have
313
314
315
316

access to this network and can connect with private sectors around the world through it.
The Chamber also maintains links with other important trade bodies in the region which is
of great support to its members.317
The Chamber has a reputation of working with development partners such as the
World Bank (WB), International Finance Corporation (IFC), Asian Development Bank
(ADB), Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Japan External
Trade Organization (JETRO), and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Currently,
the Chamber has undertaken a joint study with Nepal entitled, Analysis of Prevailing
Non-Tariff Measures (NTMs) in SAARC to identify non-tariff measures within SAARC. It is
taking part in another study with the Institute of Development Economies of Japan External
Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO), entitled Current State of Industrial Sub-Sectors in
Bangladesh to address the status of the industrial sub-sectors of Bangladesh. These studies
are expected to lead to adoption of guidelines to identify and remove trade barriers
amongst SAARC countries and provide for a course of action in generating employment.318
The Chamber has thus been having regular and continuous interactions with the
wider world. In the process, the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries has
achieved eminence not only in Bangladesh but also beyond its geographical territory. The
Chamber has consistently been engaged in policy formulation, review and global
networking in upholding the interests of its members as well the nation.
4.4 Representations
The Chamber has been representing the interests of its members to various important
government, semi-government and autonomous bodies since 1904. Through nomination
and representation in various bodies, the Chamber has been able to represent the views of
its members on trade and commerce. Examples of such representations are (a) Eastern
Bengal Labour Advisory Board from 1952 to 1963; Bangladesh Shipping Corporation in
1981 and (b) Non-government bodies such as the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and
Industry and Narayanganj Education Society.
The Chamber has in its membership roll most of the leading commercial and
industrial organizations of Bangladesh, including public sector corporations and
multinational companies. It holds a unique position because of its afiliation with
prestigious and recognized commercial and industrial organizations. At present, many
established organizations in the private and public sectors representing manufacturing,
banking, non-banking inancial institutions, insurance companies, IT and IT enabled
317
318
Farooq Ahmed, Know Your Chamber, Chamber News, 14 August 2013, p. 6.

Farooq Ahmed, Chamber News, 14 August 2013, p. 5.
technology-related services and health and media services, are members of the Chamber.319
The Chambers Committee consists of leading businessmen and professionals from both
the public and private sectors.
The Chamber provides its services to public and private sectors by sending
representatives to national and international bodies. Currently, it is represented in sixteen
advisory committees of the Government, viz. National Committee of Export headed by the
Prime Minister; Consultative Committee for Ministry of Commerce; National Council for
Industrial Development (NCID); Consultative Committee for the National Board of
Revenue; National Export Council; Transport Consultative Committee for the Ministry of
Communications; Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Jute; Advisory Committee for
the Ministry of Textiles; Chittagong Port Advisory Committee; Custom House Advisory
Committee, Chittagong; National Consultative Committee on Power; Standing Committee
on Export Credit; Bangladesh Institute of Management; Council of Bangladesh Standards &
Testing Institution; ICD (Inland Container Depot) Advisory Committee Dhaka and the
Advisory Committee for Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition to advisory
support in policy formulation, the Chamber provides many essential services to the
business community through its expert and experienced members.
The Chamber is regularly invited to send representatives to national and international
bodies, both in the public and private sector.
A list of Chamber representatives (Phase Wise) to various committees and

organizations from the very inception is included in an appendix (See Appendix 11). This
list was prepared on the basis of the information available in Chamber documents such as
Minute Books, Annual Reports and Chamber News.
Representations (Historical Outline): From the book written by CWE Cotton320 and from
Thackers Directory321 it can be seen that representation was an integral part and major
function of the Chamber during its irst phase, i.e. from 1904 to 1950. During this period,
the Chamber was represented in the East Bengal Board of Industries (JWE Berry, 1950),322
the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire (Hamer & Bodly, 1950)323
and ASSOCHAP (Guthrie & MM Ispahani, 1950).324 NCC usually followed the policies of the
319
320
321
322
323
324
http://www.mccibd.org/pages/represenative-character.php
Cotton, CWE, Handbook of Commercial Information for India, 3rd edition, New Delhi: Government of India,
1937.
Thackers Indian Directory, A Directory of the Chief Industries of India (The Fiftieth Issue of The Bengal
Directory), Calcutta: Thacker, Spink & Co., 1905-07, 1912.
Bengal Chamber of Commerce (BCC) situated in Kolkata. In addition to the Bengal Chamber
of Commerce, the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce also sent representatives to
government bodies through their nominations to boards, committees and councils.
In the second phase (1950-52), the Chamber continued to have representation in

government and non-government bodies, advisory committees and councils. The Chamber
representation to Employers Association (MM Ispahani, 1951),325 East Bengal Board of
Industries (JWE Berry, 1952),326 Foreign Trade Development Council (A Jalil, 1951),327 Jute
Brokers Association (1951),328 and Narayanganj Municipality (1952)329 are some examples.
The DNCCI Phase (1952-59) saw the Chamber make nearly 35 representations to
various committees or organizations.330 In this phase, most importantly, the Chamber
offered representations in educational institutions as well as government and nongovernment bodies and committees such as the Board of Governors, Viqarunnissa Noon
School (MM Ispahani, 1956, 1957),331 Court of the University of Dhaka (MM Ispahani, 1956,
AA Kahlon, 1957),332 and the Government College of Commerce, Chittagong (MM Ispahani,
1953).333
In the NCCI Phase (1959-79), the Chamber was represented in 90 committees or

organizations of government, semi- government and autonomous institutions.334 From this
number, it can be easily seen how the Chamber became the biggest representative trade
organization of the country. From this phase onwards its representational function
became an integral part of the Chambers work. Along with public ones, the Chamber got
involved in numerous bodies, councils and committees of non- government and
autonomous institutions. Some new and noteworthy representations in this phase were in
the Central Advisory Council for the Ministry of Commerce (YA Bawany, 1965, M Ilahi &
Rashid Ahmed, 1969, M Ilahi, 1968),335 Advisory Council for Ministry of Commerce &
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
Minutes of the DNCC, 1 February 1951, p. 29.

Minutes of the DNCC, 22 September 1951, p. 86.
For detail see Appendix.
Annual Report of the DNCCI: 1956, p. 49; Annual Report of the DNCCI: 1957, p. 21.
Annual Report of the DNCCI: 1956, p. 49; Annual Report of the DNCCI: 1957, p. 21.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1953, p. 218.
Annual Report of the NCCI: 1965, p. 29; Annual Report of the NCCI: 1969, p. 26; Annual Report of the NCCI:
1968, p. 10.
Foreign Trade (FK Ghuznavi, 1968, 1975),336 Dacca-Narayanganj Electricity Advisory

Committee (M Ilahi, 1963, 1969),337 Import Advisory Committee of the Chief Controller of
Imports & Exports (M Anis Ud Dowla, 1975),338 Management Board for Abandoned
Properties for Dacca City and Adjoining Areas (M Anis Ud Dowla, 1975),339 Narayanganj
Town Development Committee (MA Sattar, 1977),340 Bangladesh Industrial Facilities Board
(ASF Rahman, 1979),341 and the District Committee for Organizing Cottage and Small
Industries (Mohsen Ali, 1977, ASF Rahman, 1979).342
In 1979, the Chamber was renamed the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, Dhaka (MCCI, Dhaka). The MCCI phase is divided into two parts. In the irst part
of this phase (1979-1999), the Chamber continued to help build up a strong economic
base for the country and was represented in important public bodies as well as
autonomous committees and organizations. At least 65 such representations were made343
by the Chamber and it worked successfully to give suggestions and offer its views in these
bodies, committees and organizations. Some selected important examples of
representations of this phase are as follows: Advisory Committee to the Commissioners of
Taxes (K Kamrul Hoda, 1979; KA Huque, 1985, 1990, 1997, 1999),344 Advisory Committee
for Securities and Exchange Commission (Samson H Chowdhury, 1997; Mahbub Jamil,
1999),345 Bangladesh Banks Co-ordinations Committee (SH Kabir, 1979; Rashid-ul Hasan,
1985; AKM Ghaffar, 1990),346 Consultative Committee for the National Board of Revenue
(MR Siddqi, 1985; Syed Manzur Elahi, 1990; Samson H Chowdhury, 1997; Mahbub Jamil,
1999),347 Training & Employment of Advisory Committee of Dacca Polytechnic Institute
(FK Ghuznavi, 1978-79),348 Institute of Business Administration, Dhaka University (M Anis
Ud Dowla, 1982; SH Kabir, MR Siddiqi, 1978-79),349 Inter-Ministerial Committee on Labour
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349
Annual Report of the NCCI: 1968, p. 10; Annual Report of the NCCI: 1975, p. 17.
Annual Report of the NCCI: 1969, p. 27; Annual Report of the NCCI: 1963, p. 23.
Minutes of the NCCI, 30 June, 1977, p. 1413.
Annual Report of the NCCI: AR-1979, p. 32.
Minutes of the NCCI, 1977, p. 1404; Annual Report of the NCCI: 1979, p. 31.
Annual Reportof the NCCI: 1978-79, p. 31; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1985, p. 18; Annual Report of
the MCCI: Dhaka, 1990, p. 30; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1997, p. 26; Annual Report of the MCCI:
Dhaka, 1999, p. 24.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1997, p. 27; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1999, p. 25.
Annual Report of the NCCI: 1978-79, p. 31; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1985, p. 18; Annual Report of
the MCCI: Dhaka, 1990, p. 30.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1985, p. 17; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1990, p. 29; Annual Report
of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1997, p. 25; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1999, p. 23.
Annual Report of the NCCI: 1978-79, p. 33.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1982, p. 18; Annual Report of the NCCI: 1978-79, p. 33.
(FK Ghuznavi, 1979, 1985; Laila Rahman Kabir, 1997, 1999),350 and National Consultative
Committee on Power (M Anis Ud Dowla, 1979; Syed Manzur Elahi, 1985; SA Azim, 1990;
Azimur Rahman, 1997).351
In the new millennium the Chambers representational functions have become even
more important than in earlier years. It now has more representations in public bodies,
advisory committees, advisory boards and advisory councils; consultative committees of
various ministries; trade organizations; inancial institutions; various commissions and
enquiries; urbanization and town development bodies; ports and ICD; the health sector;
educational and other institutions. Some selected important representations of this current
phase have been as follows: Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Textiles (MA Awal,
2002, Abdul Haiz Chowdhury, 2008, Kutubuddin Ahmed, 2008, 2013),352 Advisory
Committee for Securities and Exchange Commission (Abdul Haiz Chowdhury, 2002, 2004,
2008, Anis Ud Dowla, 2010, Nihad Kabir, 2013),353 Consultative Committee to the Ministry
of Commerce (Tapan Chowdhury, 2002, Kutubuddin Ahmed, 2004, Latifur rahman, 2008,
Anis Ud Dowla, 2010, Rokia Afzal Rahman, 2013),354 Jute & Textile Council of the
Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (AK Shamsuddin, 2002, Kamran T Rahman,
2008, 2010),355 National Committee on Exports (Tapan Chowdhury, 2002, Kutubuddin
Ahmed, 2004, Latifur Rahman, 2008, Anis Ud Dowla, 2010, Rokia Afzal Rahman, 2013),356
National Council for Industrial Development, NCID (Tapan Chowdhury, 2002, Kutubuddin
Ahmed, 2004, Latifur Rahman, 2008, Anis Ud Dowla, 2010, Rokia Afzal Rahman, 2013) .357
350
351
352
353
354
355
356
357
Annual Report of the NCCI: 1978-79, p. 31; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1985, p. 18; Annual Report of
the MCCI: Dhaka, 1997, p. 26; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1999, p. 24.
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1978-79, p. 31; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1985, p. 18; Annual Report of
the MCCI: Dhaka, 1990, p. 30; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1997, p. 26.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2002, p. 23; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2008, p. 32; Annual Report
of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2013, p. 19.
of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2008, p. 32; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2010, p. 21; Annual Report of the MCCI:
Dhaka, 2013, p. 19.
Dhaka, 2013, p. 18.
of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2010, p. 21.
Dhaka, 2013, p. 18.
Dhaka, 2013, p. 18.
As was mentioned earlier, almost all leading industrial organizations in the private
and public sectors are at present members of the Chamber and Chamber representatives
have been playing signiicant roles in decision and policy-making in almost all public and
private bodies, committees and councils of Bangladesh. In serving business responsibly in
its 110 years history, the Metropolitan Chamber has given representations to over a
hundred government, non-government, semi-government and autonomous committees
and organizations.
Representations in Public Bodies: The Chambers representations to public advisory

committees, advisory boards and advisory councils have been regular features in the
post-partition phase of the Chambers existence. Chamber members have been nominated
Representations in Public Bodies (Selective)
Advisory Committee of Customs and Excise
Advisory Committee for Ministry of Textiles

Bangladesh Industrial Facilities Board
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority (BIWTA)

Bangladesh Shipping Corporation
Bangladesh Tea Board
Chittagong Port Advisory Committee
Consultative Committee for the National Board of Revenue

Custom House Advisory Committee (Chittagong)
Custom House Advisory Board (Dhaka)
East Bengal Labour Advisory Board
East Bengal Regional Employment Advisory Committee

East Pakistan Railway Advisory Board
Export Promotion Council
Foreign Trade Development Council

Import Advisory Committee
National Advisory Council for Small Industries

National Council for Industrial Development
National Committee for Development of Small & Cottage Industry

National Council of Shippers
Palli Daridra Bimochan Foundation

Research Advisory Committee
Standing Committee on Income Tax
to such bodies regularly and have worked there conscientiously. For example, its
representations to the East Bengal Board of Industries and the East Bengal Labour
Advisory Board continued till the middle of the 1950s. In addition, the Chamber also had
representations in the Narayanganj Municipality; Associated Chamber of Commerce of
Pakistan; Pakistan Tea Board and Pakistan Tea Licensing Committee. In 1953, two of the
Chamber representatives were nominated for the Regional Employment Advisory
Committee for East Bengal. In the same year the then President of the Chamber, Mr A Jalil,
became a member of the Executive Committee of the Governors Refugee Relief Fund.358 In
the Pakistan Tea Board, the former Chamber President Mr MM Ispahani was active for a
couple of years as a member of the Tea Board.359 Mr DS Jamal was re-nominated as the
Chambers representative on the East Bengal Railway Advisory Committee after
completing his two years in 1955.360 In a meeting held on 13 September 1977, the
Chambers representatives on the Panel of Advisers for Private Sector Industries
constituted by the Planning Commission were chosen. Mr M Anis Ud Dowla and Mr Zeaul
Huq were selected for two years to represent NCCI in the committee.361
Representations in Educational Institutions: Chamber members were represented in

various educational and professional institutions of government, semi- government, or
Representations in Educational Institutions (Selective)
Bangladesh Council of Scientiic Industrial Research
Bangladesh Management Development Centre
Chittagong Government College of Commerce
Commerce Faculty of Dacca University
Institute of Business Administration Dhaka University

Institute of Development Studies
Narayanganj Education Society
Pakistan Council of Scientiic & Industrial Research Laboratories, Rajshahi

Training & Employment of Advisory Committee of Dacca Polytechnic Institute

The Board of Education
Trade Union Workers Training Institute
Viqarunnissa Noon School Governing Body

358
359
360
361

Minutes of the DNCCI, 26 July 1955, p. 86.
Minutes of the NCCI, 13 September 1977, p. 1425.
autonomous bodies. In 1956 and 1957, the Chamber nominated Mr MM Ispahani and Mr
AA Kahlon to the Court of the University of Dhaka.362 In 1977, the Dean of the Faculty of
Commerce, University of Dhaka, informed the Chamber that Mr Rashid Ahmed had
completed his two years tenure and a replacement would be considered on expiry of the
term.363 This is evidence of the Chambers continued representation in the Commerce
Faculty of the University of Dhaka in that period.
Representations in Consultative Committees of Ministries: Representations to
consultative committees of various ministries constitute an important activity of the
Chamber. Since its NCCI phase (1959-1979), the Chamber has been working with
numerous ministerial committees. The Ministry of Commerce, Commerce and Foreign
Trade, Commerce and Industry, Communication and Textile are where the Chamber is
represented most actively on a regular basis. Mr M Ahad and Mr MH Adamjee represented
it in an Advisory Council of the Ministry of Commerce in 1963.364 Mr FK Ghuznavi
represented the Chamber in the Advisory Council for Ministry of Commerce and Foreign
Trade in 1968 and 1975.365 The Chamber was represented in the Advisory Council for
Ministry of Commerce (Central) by Mr YA Bawany, Mr M Ilahi and Mr Rashid Ahmed in the
1960s.366 In the MCCI phase, representations in the ministries became even more
signiicant. Mr Mostaque Ahmed Siddique and Mr MA Awal represented the Chamber in the
Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Textiles in 1997 and 1999.367 Consultative
Committee to the Ministry of Jute & Textiles, Consultative Committee to the Ministry of
Industries, Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Commerce, Consultative Committee
to the Ministry of Communications are a few bodies in this phase where Mr Syed Mohsen
Ali, Mr SH Kabir, Mr Syed Manzur Elahi, Mr Samson H Chowdhury, Mr Mahbub Jamil, Mr MA
Sattar MP, and Mr MH Khan represented the Chamber and contributed signiicantly to
proceedings.368
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1956, p. 49; Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1957, p. 21.
Minutes of the NCCI, 8 June 1977, p. 1409.
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1968, p. 10; Annual Report of the NCCI, 1975, p. 17.
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1965, p. 29; Annual Report of the NCCI, 1969, p. 26; Annual Report of the NCCI,
1968, p. 10.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1997, p. 26; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1999, p. 23.
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1978-79, p. 31, 32; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1985, p. 17; Annual Report
Dhaka, 1999, p. 23.
Representations in Consultative Committees on Various Ministries (Selective)

Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Industries
Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Communications

Tripartite Consultative Committee of ILO
Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Textiles

Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Jute
Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Jute & Textiles

Consultative Committee for the Jute Division
National Consultative Committee on Power

Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Commerce
Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Industries and Commerce
Consultative Committee on Remittances and Problems of Wage Earners
Representations in Trade Organizations/Associations: The Chamber became a member

of the Associated Chamber of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM) sometime in 1930s and
continued to be a member till 1947. It received membership in the Associated Chamber of
Commerce of Pakistan (ASSOCHAP) in 1960s. The Chamber sent representatives to the
Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire in 1950,369 to the Federation of
Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in 1968,370 and to the Federation of
Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) in 1975.371 The MCCI, Dhaka, is
still a member of FBCCI and the two organizations have been working together for the
betterment of trade and commerce in Bangladesh. The Chambers members were
represented in the Pakistan National Committee of International Chamber of Commerce,372
as well as the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan. In addition, the Chamber
was represented in many other trade organizations and associations. In the 1950s the
369
370
371
372
Hamer & Bodly (representatives), Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire; Minutes of
the DNCC, 19 December, 1950, p. 49.
M Ilahi & SM Doja (representing industry), Annual Report of the NCCI, 1968, p. 9.
FK Ghuznavi (General Committee), Annual Report of the NCCI, 1975, p. 17.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1955, p. 86.
Chamber sent representatives to the Jute Brokers Association373 and the East Bengal Jute
Dealers Association. The Chamber had representations in export and import-related
organizations such as the National Export Council, the Export Promotion Council etc. Given
below is a list of some organizations where the Chamber was represented.
Representations in Trade Organizations/Associations (Selective)
Asian and Far Eastern Affairs of the International Chamber of Commerce (CAFEA)
Associated Chamber of Commerce of India (ASSOCHAM)
Associated Chamber of Commerce of Pakistan (ASSOCHAP)

Bangladesh Jute Press Owners Association
Chief Controller of Import and Export
East Bengal Jute Dealers Association
Bangladesh Employers Association
Employers Association of East Pakistan

Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire (FCCBE)
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI)

Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan (FCCP)
Jute Brokers Association
National Committee on Export

National Export Council
National Council for Shippers
Pakistan Jute Mills Association
Pakistan Economic Association
Standing Committee of Export Credit

Task Force on Export
Representations in Financial Institutions: The Chamber has also been represented in

various inancial institutions such as stock exchanges, banks and insurance companies. In
its DNCC phase, Chamber representatives played active roles in the Pakistan Insurance
Corporation (1951). In the MCCI, Dhaka phase, Mr Samson H Chowdhury (1997) and
373
Jute Brokers Association; Minutes of the DNCC, 22 September, 1951, p- 86.
Mahbub Jamil (1999) were actively engaged in working with the Advisory Committee for
the Securities and Exchange Commission.374 Mr SH Kabir (1978-79), Mr Rashid Ul Hasan
(1985), and AKM Ghaffar (1990) represented the Chamber in Bangladesh Banks
Co-ordinations Committee.375
Representations in Financial Institutions (Selective)
Advisory Committee for Securities and Exchange Commission

Bangladesh Banks Co-ordination Committee
Board of Directors of Dhaka Stock Exchange Ltd

Council of the Dhaka Stock Exchange
Insurance Advisory Committee
Pakistan Insurance Corporation

Sadharan Bima Corporation
State Bank of Pakistan Coordination Committee
Representations in Commissions and Enquiries: The Chambers representations in

committees of various commissions and enquiries formed by the government have also
been important in terms of its representational functions. The earliest representations of
the Chamber on Commissions and Enquiry Committees are Land Reforms Commission
(1940), Economic Appraisal and Development Enquiry Committee (1952), Commodity
Price Commission (1952) etc. Other such bodies where the Chamber has been represented
are listed below:
Representations in Various Commissions and Enquiries (Selective)
Commodity Price Commission
Credit Enquiry Commission
Jute Enquiry Commission
Law Reform Committee
Land Reform Commission

Law Reform Committee
Maritime Commission
Planning Commission Advisory Panel

Sugar Commission
Textile Enquiry Commission
Taxation Enquiry Committee

374
375
Samson H Chowdhury; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1997, p. 27; Mahbub Jamil; Annual Report of the
MCCI: Dhaka, 1999, p. 25.
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1978-79, p. 31; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1985, p. 18; Annual Report of
the MCCI: Dhaka, 1990, p. 30.
Representations in Urbanization and Town Development Bodies: The Chamber has

nominated its members to different committees constituted for Narayanganj and Dhaka
Improvement Trust and development bodies. They have played an important role in town
development. One of the earliest example of representations in such bodies is to be found
in the workings of the Narayanganj Municipality.376
Representations in Urbanization and Town Development Bodies (Selective)
Dacca-Narayanganj Electricity Advisory Committee
Dacca Trafic Committee
Dhaka Improvement Trust (DIT)
Dhaka-Narayanganj Trafic Committee

Dhaka City Trafic Committee
Narayanganj Municipal Committee
Narayanganj Town Development Committee

Provincial Transports Authority
Representations in Ports and ICD: The Chambers participation and representation in

committees on Ports and ICD (Internal Container Depot) formed by the government have
also been very important in terms of its representational functions. The Chamber
contributed actively to such bodies by nominating members for representation of its
interests in them. Some of the earliest representations have been in bodies such as the
Chittagong Port Authority (1959),377 Chalna Anchorage Advisory Committee (1959)378 and
Chittagong Port Advisory Committee (1984)379. The Chamber has been regularly
represented in these bodies since then.
Representations in Ports and ICD (Selective)
Chittagong Port Authority
Chalna Anchorage Advisory Committee

Chalna Port Authority
ICD (Internal Container Depot) Advisory Committee, Dhaka
ICD (Internal Container Depot) Advisory Committee, Chittagong
376
377
378
379
Minutes of the DNCC, 8 February, 1952, p. 147.

MM Ispahani; Annual Report of the NCCI, 1960, p. 64.
NA Mecklai; Annual Report of the NCCI, 1960, p. 65.
Iftekharul Alam; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1984, p. 23.
Representations in Health Sector: The Chamber had contributed signiicantly to the

health sector of the region in general and Bangladesh in particular through its
representatives in these bodies, councils or committees of the health sector and hospitals.
In the NCC and DNCC phase, the Chamber nominated two members to the Managing
Committee of the Victoria Hospital of Narayanganj in 1951.380 In 1952, the DNCC nominated
Mr EG Stevenson and Mr CEC Guthrie to the Poor Patient Fund of the Victoria Hospital
Committee.381
Representations in Health Sector (Selective)
Araggya Niketan, Dhaka
Health Exhibition Committee
Holy Family Hospital Scheme Sub-committee

Narayanganj Victoria Hospital Committee
Public Health Day and Dacca Cleanup Campaign
Representations in Various Government and Other Committees: Representations of the

Chamber in government and others non-government and semi-government committees
have also been very important for it. Some examples of such representations are given
below:
Representations in Various Government and Other Committees (Selective)
Bangladesh Inland Water Transport Authority
Customs House Advisory Committee, Chittagong

Customs House Advisory Committee, Dhaka
Dacca District Trade Advisory Committee
District Committee for Organizing Cottage and Small Industries

Inland Transport Committee of the ILO
Management Board on Abandoned Industries

Minimum Wage Board Committee
Remittances and Problems of Wage Earners

River Police Committee of East Pakistan
Trade Union Workers Training Scheme
380
381
Minutes of the DNCC, 2 May 1951, p. 70.

Minutes of the DNCC, 25 April, 1952, p. 115.
The above list clearly indicates the contribution the Chamber has made to the eastern
part of Bengal as a whole and to Bangladesh in particular. Representations in these sectors
have facilitated regular dialogue with government, provided scope for advocacy, and
allowed it to offer feedback on policies and legislation affecting business practices as well
as to serve on statutory boards and government committees to help formulate policy
guidelines and set standards that have contributed to the business climate and enhanced
members competitiveness.
4.5 Publications
The Chamber has been publishing journals which are quite distinctive and have been
well-appreciated at home and abroad. Circulars and bulletins issued at periodic intervals
are supplied to members by the Chamber free of charge. Providing details of government
and semi-governments notiications; reporting on the impact of legislation; judicial
decisions in respect of business matters of general interest or signiicance; publicizing
trade inquiries and trade and business opportunities; providing information about new
technologies and opportunities for technology transfer, areas of collaboration, investment
trends, economic indicators, comparative data and analysis of such data, important events
within the country and overseas, trade fairs and exhibition of special importance, visiting
missions and dignitaries; reporting on important activities involving members and other
similar information have made these publications useful and desirable.
Publications are an essential function of the Chamber and a service it offers to its
members and the nation. Through its publications, the Chamber attempts to collect and
disseminate information on business, including export, import, investment and tax
regulations. The Chamber usually collects government circulars, notices, and statistical
data from government and other bodies and disseminates information relating to trade,
commerce and industry among members. It also prepares Position Papers on various
issues and circulates the Chambers decisions to its members, the society and the nation. As
such, its publications have been playing a signiicant role in the growth and development of
trade and commerce in the land. The Chamber has various publications and they are
published regularly. Some publications of the Chamber are Chamber News, Annual Report,
the Summary of Taxation Rules, Quarterly Review, Tax News, Chamber Bulletin, Telephone
Directory and the Diamond Jubilee Celebration Volume. In the millennium phase (2000
onwards), the Chamber entered the digital world and information about it is available on
the website of MCCI.382
382
http://www.mccibd.org
Oficial Website of the MCCI, Dhaka
Research Cell and Preparation of Position Papers: Some major functions of the cell are:
collecting data on trade and commerce ; maintaining a data-base and evaluating economic
growth; compiling and analyzing monthly igures of production in major industries, cost of
living index, monthly igures on import and export, and analyzing trends, policy reviews
and evaluation; examining the budget of the country; preparing the Chambers budget
proposals, and compiling and publishing periodicals.
The Chamber usually offers its views and ideas on different issues relating to trade,
investment and macroeconomic policies based on its research counterparts. Research and
analytical studies are key tools in coming up with information necessary to provide policy
and advocacy support to the government and to members. MCCI has the capacity to
conduct qualitative and quantitative research. From time to time, the Chamber conducts
joint studies and organizes events such as seminars and conferences with government and
leading research organizations at home and abroad.383 Its regular publications relect the
views and particular position of the Chamber on any number of issues.
For preparing position papers professionally, the research cell of the Chamber makes
use of the best and most recent data relating to the issue at hand and presents an analysis
of the relevant data. The analysis provided often indicates how business interests are being
hurt by existing or proposed regulatory and tax structures and what measures should be
adopted to relieve the business community in order to promote business development. The
papers are the basis of the Chambers lobbying activities and position on issues
disseminated through publications in the periodicals of the Chamber.
Regular Publications
Annual Report: The earliest and

ANNUAL REPORT 2011
foremost publication of the
Chamber is its Annual Report.
This has been in regular
publication since 1904. Due to
political turmoil in Bengal
(1903-08), the First and Second
World War (1914-19, 1939-45),
the Great Economic Depression
(1930s), the Great Bengal
Famine (1943), Partition of India
(1947), Natural calamities and
the War of Independence (1971),
very few of these reports survive. However, Annual Reports published since 1954 are still
available. These have become valuable records of the economic development of the region.
383
CK Hyder, Narayanganj Chamber 75 Years of Rare Service, Annual Report of 1978-79, Diamond Jubilee
Year (1904 1979), Dhaka: 1979, pp. 104-10; Daily Ittefaq, 20 June, 1979, p. 9.
All Reports contain important statistical data covering different aspects of the Countrys
economic activities, along with other valuable information.
Chamber News is a monthly publication. It

contains mainly information on recent national
and international economic events, news about
Chamber members, country proiles, Chamber
matters, updates on new products, statistical
overviews of different aspects, articles, news
briefs on national and international business,
trade enquiries and business proposals,
review-related matters etc. Chamber News was
irst published in 1977. From 1978, this
monthly News has been published with the help
of advertisements provided by member-irms.
In the millennium phase, digital technologies
have been adapted in the make-up and get-up
process and Chamber News has now got an
attractive look. This publication has earned
both national and international reputation as one of the leading economic magazines of the
region. This in-house magazine is distributed primarily to its members but because of its
high quality and acceptability, it is also distributed amongst government departments,
diplomatic missions, Bangladesh missions
abroad, international economic agencies and
research institutions at home and abroad.
Quarterly Review: This is an important

quarterly publication of the Chamber that
focuses on the economic situation of
Bangladesh and highlights performances in
different macro economic sectors connected
with trade and industry. It publishes interviews
of leading entrepreneurs and is aimed at
building conidence among businessmen and
members of the Chamber. The Quarterly Review
has earned recognition as a quality business
magazine.
Bangladesh Economy: The Chambers Research Cell prepares a booklet named Bangladesh
Economy for its members as well as general readers. Every aspect of the Bangladesh
economy as well as the economic performance of the Country in a iscal year is covered in
it. Business growth, agriculture, industry,
services, investment and saving, monetary
development, export-import, balance of
payments, remittance, foreign aid, foreign
direct investment, foreign exchange reserves,
the National Budget and new investments are
some of the topics featured in Bangladesh
Economy.
and other taxes mentioned in the Budget.
Summary of Taxation Rules: This is a yearly

publication of the Chamber. It is published
after the announcement of the Governments
Annual Budget. Through the Summary of
Taxation Rules, the Chamber attempts to
explain the requirements of the laws in the
ield of income tax, customs and excise duties
Telephone Directory: Another yearly publication of the Chamber is Telephone Guide. This
useful publication of the Chamber compiles
telephone numbers of important government
oficials, diplomatic missions, inancial
institutions, trade bodies, stock exchange etc.
In this Guide, telephone numbers of members
of the Chamber Committee, Chamber
Secretariat and Bangladesh Employers
Federation are included. Important phone
numbers
of
semi-government,
non-government departments and leading
autonomous organizations are also included
in this directory.
Major Economic Indicators of Bangladesh is
prepared by the Economic Research Cell of
MCCI. Population and mainly macroeconomic
The Release of the Publication: Global Economic Prospects - 2005
aspects, including details of GDP, growth, per capita GDP, agriculture, industry etc. of
Bangladesh are included in the publication. The major economic indicators of Bangladesh
are updated annually through this publication.
Occasional Publications
The Diamond Jubilee Publication was brought out in 1979 to commemorate 75 years of the
Chamber. On that occasion, the Chamber published not only the Annual Report of 1978-79
as its Diamond Jubilee Year, 1904-1979, but also a particular section separately titled
Chambers Diamond Jubilee Celebration, 1904-1979. in 1987, the Chamber published
Industry in Bangladesh jointly with the Ministry of Industries, Government of
Bangladesh, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).384
Contact with the Media
The Metropolitan Chamber maintains close contact with the press and electronic media in
order to:
384
Disseminate information to the public;
Create public opinion against any changes in government policy which adversely affects
the interests of the business community;
Publicize the activities of the Chamber;
Provide instant reaction to a public policy or decision;
Provide publicity for any offer of training programs, workshops, seminars and for trade
delegations;
Circulate news on changes in the chamber e.g. new ofice bearers;
Create public opinion against political activity that disrupts business and commerce.
Initially the Chamber would issue press releases irregularly to articulate its concerns
on the proposed budget by the government. But from the phase of MCCI, Dhaka (1979-99),
it started issuing press releases on a regular basis to articulate its concerns not only on the
proposed budget but also on signiicant events relating to politics and the economy of the
country. To create a better socio-political environment, the Chamber urged political parties
to lower the frequency of hartals and strikes. The Chamber, along with, other leading trade
bodies of the country, jointly issued press releases to condemn hartals and urged exploring
alternate means of expressing political differences.
In the Millennium phase, the Chamber continues to issue public statements and press
releases to articulate its concerns and convey its stand-point to the public on nationally and
internationally important issues. In this phase, the Chamber has also begun to issue joint
statements with BGMEA, DCCI, CCCI, FICCI, BTMA, FBCCI and other important trade bodies
in Bangladesh so that the voice raised by the businessmen is united, powerful and more
effective than before. Some selected press releases are reproduced from the Annual Reports
of the Chamber in the Appendices Section. See appendix 22.
4.6 Communication Development
The Chamber operated a courier service from Dhaka to Chittagong and Khulna, from the
early 1950s. Urgent commercial mail and important documents were collected from
member-irms and dispatched by air through this service. The Chamber introduced its
courier service at the beginning of its DNCC phase.385 Subsequently, the Chamber operated
its courier service from Dhaka to other parts of the country as well.386 With the advent of
private courier services, the Chamber discontinued its courier service in 1989.
The Chamber also offened Telex Service to member-irms at an earlier period. This
service helped disseminate urgent messages, like international tenders. It was available for
member-irms.387
During the DNCCI and NCCI phases, the Chamber gave great emphasis on the
communication sector. It dealt with frequent complaints regarding communication,
including posts and telegraph, teleprinter services, postal deliveries, communications
between East and West Pakistan, local telephone charges, railway transport, inland water
transport and so on.388 For inter-wing shipping communication, the Chamber worked to
ease problems relating to coastal shipping.389
385
386
387
388
389
Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1954, p.8.

CK Hyder, Narayanganj Chamber - 75 Years of Rare Service, Annual Report of the NCCI, 1978-79, pp.
104-110; Daily Ittefaq, 20 June 1979, p. 9.
Ibid.
Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1957, pp. 33-36; Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1958, pp. 29-30; Annual Report of
the DNCCI, 1959, pp. 26-27.
For the Teleprinter service, endeavor was made from 1955 onwards for the
installation of a teleprinter in the Chamber for use of members.390 The Chamber worked
hard to increase the Trunk Calls circuits between Dacca and Khulna via Kushtia.391
The Chamber used to assist individual members with telephone service in the
1960s.392 At that time, the Chamber was greatly concerned about the condition of the
Dacca-Narayanganj Road. It eventually contributed to the reconstruction of the road.393
Because of technological developments in communication and other developments,

the Chamber now does not need to offer these services.
4.7 Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Chamber organizes its Annual General Meeting (AGM) every December or at another
convenient time.
List the Chief Guests in the AGMs (1951-1972)
1951
Sir Frederick Bourne
Governor of East Bengal
1959
Zakir Hossain
Governor of East Pakistan
1954
1963-66
Abdul Monem Khan
1953
Ghulam Mohammed
Governor General of Pakistan
Iskender Ali Mirza
Governor of East Bengal
1956
AK Fazlul Haque
Governor of Bengal
1958
AK Fazlul Haque
1960
Lt General Azam Khan
1969
Vice Admiral SM Ahsan
1972
MR Siddiqi
Minister for Trade and Commerce
Govt. of Bangladesh
During the pre-liberation period of Bangladesh, the Chief Minister or Governor of East
Bengal, East Pakistans Governor, and sometimes the Governor-General of Pakistan, would
grace AGMs as the chief guest, which were followed by dinner. During the NCCI phase,
Chambers AGMs were graced by the Governor-General of Pakistan or the Chief Minister of
390
391
392
393
Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1958, p. 30; Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1959, p. 27.
East Bengal or the Governor of East Pakistan. In 1953, the Governor General of Pakistan
Ghulam Muhammed was present as a Chief Guest at the AGM of the Chamber. He accepted
the invitation to open the new Chamber Building.394 AK Fazlul Haq, Governor of East Bengal,
addressed the Chamber as the Chief Guest in 1956.394a A large number of dignitaries were
also invited to be present at the AGM session in this phase. Among them were Mr G David
(Deputy High Commissioner of UK in East Pakistan) and Mr Goro Tsukamoto (Consul for
Japan in East Pakistan) who were present in 1956.395 In this phase, Prime Minister of
Pakistan, HS Suhrawardy, was invited as the Chief Guest but was unable to accept the
invitation due to other preoccupations.396
Mr SH Kabir, newly elected President of the MCCI, Dacca

addressing the members at its AGM on 28 December, 1983
In the irst part of its NCCI phase, governors of East Pakistan would be regularly
present at AGMs. Mr Zakir Hossain, the Governor of East Pakistan, addressed the Chamber
in 1959 and Mr Azam Khan, Governor of East Pakistan in 1960. Mr Abdul Monem Khan
attended the Chamber AGM on four occasions in the 1960s.397 During this phase
distinguished guests from Diplomatic Corps, government departments, and trade and
industry would attend the session. In the Presidential Address the President would talk
about the overall situation of the country, especially economic challenges that were to be
394
394a
395
396
397
Minutes of the DNCCI, 20 January, 1953, p. 184.

Mr AK Fazlul Haq, Governor of East Bengal, delivered his irst speech as the Chief Guest in the 51st Annual
General Meeting of DNCCI held on 6 April, 1956. This speech has been compiled in the Annual Report of
1956, PP. 19-33. Mr Haq delivered a speech again as the Chief Guest in the 53rd Annual General Meeting of
DNCCI held on 4 March, 1958. This second speech was published in the Annual Report of the Chamber of
1958, PP. 16-20. See Appendix 15.
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1963-66.
overcome. It also covered a wide range of subjects, both national and international. The
Governor in his address discuss issues raised by the Chamber President.398
In independent Bangladesh, the Chamber came out of its practice of inviting a Chief
Guest at the main session of the Annual General Meeting. Instead, the Chief Guest would
now be invited only to its dinner or luncheon sessions. In 1972, Mr AR Siddiqi, Minister for
Trade and Commerce, was the irst such Chief Guest in independent Bangladesh.399 In a
meeting held in 1974, the Chamber Committee decided that no Chief Guest would
henceforth be invited to the AGM of the Chamber.400
A partial view of an AGM of MCCI
398
399
400
No dignitary names are found in Annual Reports during this phase.

Minutes of the NCCI, 1972, p. 1125.
Minutes of the NCCI, 10 January, 1974, p. 1214.
Ms Rokia Rahman, President of MCCI,

addressing the 109th Annual General Meeting in 2013.
Chapter
The Chamber and the Nation
THE CHAMBER AND THE NATION
The activities of the Metropolitan Chamber are evidence of its concern not only for the
interest and well-being of its members, but also for the social and humanitarian causes,
beneitting the nation over the decades. Since its inception, the Chamber has stood by the
people of Bangladesh and has contributed to the establishment of sectors such as
education, health and environment.
Encouraging members to take part in social and humanitarian services is one of the
primary objectives of MCCI. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has always been an
important focus of the Chamber. In fact, a sub-committee, named Corporate Governance
and CSR, has been working actively to this end from 2010. This sub-committee was formed
to serve the nation in all possible ways and was not conined to trade and business-related
activities. Over the years, the Chamber has rendered many services to the nation by
contributing inancially as well as helping otherwise as part of its social and humanitarian
commitment to the nation. CSR has become an integral part of the Chambers mission.
The Metropolitan Chamber has been playing a leading role primarily to help in the
economic progress of the country. But, it is aware that such progress depends on taking
comprehensive and sustainable initiatives elsewhere and these involve making
contributions to the nation on social and humanitarian fronts. The Chamber has
contributed immensely to public sectors such as, education and health and has earned a
solid reputation thereby. It has taken some notable initiatives on environmental issues and
these are going to be highlighted in this chapter along with the Chambers involvement in
other CSR issues.
5.1 Education Sector

As a part of the benevolent work and social responsibility that it sees as integral to its
mission, the Metropolitan Chamber has contributed signiicantly to the education sector of
the eastern part of Bengal and Bangladesh over the decades. However, because of the
paucity of sources, the complete picture of Chambers philanthropic activities in its NCC
phase (1904-1950) could not be fully presented.
It can be inferred though, that the Chamber had some sort of connection to the
establishment of Narayanganj High School (1885) and Morgan Girls School (1910) in its
irst phase. In fact, these two educational institutions were established with the inancial
help of some merchants of Narayanganj who were believed to be actively involved in the
formation of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce. Narayanganj High School was an
English medium school. It became a middle school in 1876 and inally a high school in 1885.
The school was located on the bank of the Sitalakhya near Netaiganj from 1885 to 1907.
After 1907, this school received donations from NCC on many occasions and gradually
became a reputed institution of the area. From 1922 to 1948 the reputation of this
institution spread far and wide.
In 1937, when Narayanganj Womens College was established, local merchants were
approached for inancial assistance. Mr RP Saha, the eminent philanthropist and merchant
of Narayanganj, made a signiicant contribution to the college. In the 1940s, this college
became Tolaram Women College. Madanlal Saragi, son of Tolaram Saragi, donated a sum of
Rs 25 thousand to the College for its development. Tolaram Company was a Marwari irm
in Narayanganj and a prominent member of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce. Not
only Mr Tolaram, but other merchants of the city associated with NCC, also extended their
help to the college on various occasions.
5.1.1 Viqarunnisa Noon School: In 1952, Viqarunnisa Noon School was established in
Dhaka by Lady Noon, the wife of Mr Feroj Khan Noon, Governor of East Bengal. The
Chamber had an important role to play in establishing the school, though economically the
Chamber was going through a dificult time.401 The school began functioning in Bailey Road,
initially as a preparatory school. In 1952, Viqarunnisa Noon appealed to well-to-do people
including the Chamber of Commerce for inancial help. Mr AR Faridi, the Chamber
President at the time, received a letter of appeal for funds of a school which was to be built
along the lines of an English Public School to accommodate approximately 700 pupils to be
instructed with the help of well-qualiied staff.
401
Minutes of the DNCC, 29 May, 1952, p 123.
In June 1952, the Chamber received a letter from the District Magistrate of Dacca
mentioning the donation of Rs 10,000 by the Burmah Oil Co. Ltd. towards the school.
Meanwhile, MM Ispahani and AD Boldy agreed to organize a proper campaign to collect
funds for the school.402
In January and February, 1953, the Chamber circulated an appeal to its members and
collected Rs 28,500. This sum was donated to the school fund.403 The Chamber continued its
efforts to come up with a substantial donation. Subsequently, Lady Noon corresponded
once more with the Chamber. Members of the Chamber and afiliated Associations
contributed Rs 61,750/- to Viqarun Nisa Girls School.404 In 1953, the Chamber President Mr
RWN Ferguson was appointed as a member of the Governing Body of the School.405 Later, Mr
MM Ispahani was also nominated to the Governing Body of the school.
5.1.2 Udayan Bidyalay: Presently known as Udayan Higher Secondary School Dhaka, this
private higher secondary school was established in 1955 by the University of Dhaka. It is a
co-educational institution and currently one of the most well-known schools of Dhaka. In a
Committee meeting held on 27 November, 1973, the Chamber changed its earlier decision
to make a monthly donation of Tk 250 to the school. Udayan School Authorities had
requested the Chamber Committee to consider donating a lump sum so that the money
might be utilized towards the extension of the school building which was needed to meet
the great rush of students following liberation. The Committee decided that member-irms
be requested to contribute at the following rates: Ordinary Member Tk 500 and Associate
Member Tk 125.406
The Chamber made further donations to this school afterwards. In a meeting held on
15 February, 1974, the Chamber Committee noted that it had made a total donation of Tk
11,500. The Chamber President mentioned in a meeting that the authorities of the Udayan
School had again approached him to consider giving some more inancial assistance to help
them complete the school building. The Committee then decided to donate Tk 10,000 more
to Udayan School.407 In 1975, the Chamber again donated Tk 10,000 to the institution.408
402
403
404
405
406
407
408
Minutes of the DNCC, 29 May, 1952, p. 123.

Minutes of the DNCCI, 9 March, 1953, p 192.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 14 April, 1953, p 198.
Ibid. The DNCCI made a total amount of Rs 58000 till April, 1953. Another cheque for Rs 1250 was issued to
Begum Noon till 31 July 1954. See, Annual Report of the DNCCI, 1954, p. 56; Minutes of the DNCCI, 3 February
1953, p. 186; Minutes of the DNCCI, 18 August 1953, p. 224.
Minutes of the NCCI, 15 February, 1974, p. 1217.
5.1.3 The Narayanganj Education Society: The Narayanganj Education Society was
formed in 1956 under the Society Registration Act, 1860. The aim of the Society was to
promote quality education among the people of Narayanganj regardless of caste, creed and
religion. The irst Executive Committee, consisting of 12 members, included Mr Hanif
Adamjee of Adamjee Jute Mills Ltd, Mr Ahmad Dada, Mr AKI Abrehani of R Sim & Co. Ltd.,
Mr SL Husain, a banker, Mr JA Hume of Pakbay Co. Ltd., Mr GL Jain, a businessman, Dr AWF

Rahman, a medical practitioner, Mr AKK Haque of Muslim Commercial Bank Ltd., Mr AG
Jiwani of Bawa Jute Mills, Mr AK Chatarjee, a legal practitioner and Mr HA Ghani, a
businessman. Most of them were members of DNCCI. When the Society appealed to the
Chamber for donations the Chamber forwarded the appeal to its member-irms so that they
could contribute.409
In 1960, the Chamber offered to nonate its Henderson Road land to the Education
Society for the construction of a school building. However this was not possible due to legal
complications.410
5.1.4 Polytechnic Education in East Bengal: In 1953, the East Bengal Government
appealed to the Chamber for a donation of Rs 7,20,000 for the development of the newly
established Polytechnic at Tejgaon (Dacca) in East Bengal.411 The Chamber circulated this
request to its member-irms. In 1954, Mr A Khalilee, Secretary-Commerce, Labour
Industries, inquired about the progress of the donation scheme412 and a sub-committee
recommended a guideline for contributions. In the end, the Chamber managed to collect a
good amount, which was then handed over to the Project Authority. The fund provided by
the DNCCI was mainly used for the scholarships of Polytechnic students. In 1955, the
Chamber received a reminder letter to provide a Stipend Fund for students of the Institute.
The Chamber provided as many scholarships to the Polytechnic students as it could for
three more years.413
409
410
411
412
413

Annual Reportof the DNCCI, 1958, p. 33; Minutes of the NCCI, 12 June, 1970, p. 949.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 28 July, 1953, p. 219; Minutes of the DNCCI, 10 September, 1953, p. 226; Annual Report
of the DNCCI, 1954, p. 55.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 5 January, 1954, p. 251.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 8 March, 1955, p. 61; Minutes of the DNCCI, 5 April, 1955, p. 66.
5.1.5 Chittagong Public School: In 1953, an appeal to the Chamber was made by Mr MM
Ispahani to lend support to the construction and running of a public school being set up in
Chittagong.414 Mr Ispahani, then Director of PIDC, suggested that jute press house owners
and shippers could each contribute half an anna per bale on all pucca bales handled by
them. The Chamber agreed in principle to help the Ispahani School but considered giving
one anna per jute bale too high an amount.415 The Chamber, however, circulated the request
and in the end a good sum was collected for this purpose.
5.1.6 Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka: University of Dhaka,
with the help of the Ford Foundation, set up the Institute of Business Administration. Dr
Olescanin, the irst Adviser of this Institute, invited the Committee members of NCCI and
Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka
they met him under the leadership of Mr YA Bawani, the then President of the Chamber. A
two year course was started in that year with 35 students. The idea was to provide students
with an education which would be different from traditional business education. Students
would now be trained to hold senior positions in business and handle day to day as well
as long-term inancial and marketing problems. The Government provided a set up fund
414
415
Minutes of the DNCCI, 13 October, 1953, p. 234.

Minutes of the DNCCI, 1 October, 1953, p. 230; Minutes of the DNCCI, 27 October, 1953, p. 237.
of Rs 30,000. NCCI took great interest in this project and was of the view that this would go
a long way towards fulilling the genuine need for trained senior executives in the province.
The Chamber assured the Adviser, that it would do everything possible to make the
Institute a success. After independence, MCCI continued to nominate members to IBA. MR
Siddiqui (1979-80 and 1986-89), M Anis Ud Dowla (1982) and SH Kabir (1983-85) were
thus nominated to its Academic Board.416
5.1.7 Narayanganj Chamber Benevolent and Scholarship Fund: The deed of the
Narayanganj Chamber Benevolent and Scholarship Fund was registered in 1979.
Subsequently, the Fund was approved by the National Board of Revenue and it came into
existence after the necessary formalities were complted, on 3 July, 1979.417
5.1.8 Jamiat-Ul-Falah: The Committee considered a request for donation to the

Jamiat-ul-Falah, a philanthropic organization entrusted with the setting up of an Islamic
Research Centre, Welfare Complex and a mosque in Chittagong. The Committee considered
the request and decided that Chamber members should donate generously to the Fund. The
Chamber approached a number of selected member-irms and arranged for a substantial
donation to the Fund.418
5.1.9 Eighth Pakistan Science Conference: The Chamber received an appeal from the 8th
Pakistan Science Conference for a donation to meet the costs of the conference, which was
to be attended by distinguished scientists from abroad. The Committee considered that this
was a cause worthy of support and a circular was issued to members recommending that
they should contribute. In the Committees view, a donation of Rs 100 was considered
reasonable and a recommendation to members was made accordingly.419 In 1968 and 1970,
the Chamber contributed towards the expenses of the All Pakistan Science Conference.420
The Chamber worked assiduously with schools, colleges, institutes, training

companies, madrashas and other educational bodies (government and non-government)
and assisted them in various ways. In January 1965, the Institute of Chartered
Accountants of Pakistan (Dacca Region) asked the Chamber to contribute for the
416
417
418
419
420
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1980, p. 33; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1982, p. 18; Annual Report
of the MCCI: Dacca, 1983, p. 17; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1984, p. 24; Annual Report of the MCCI:
Dhaka, 1985, p. 18; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1987, p. 22; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1988,
p. 22; Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 1989, p. 27.
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dacca, 1980, pp. 42-43.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1955, p.108.
Annual Report of the NCCI, 1968, p. 10; Minutes of the NCCI, 1970, 16 January, p. 227.
construction of their building.421 The Chamber agreed to do so and asked its member to
donate a sum of Rs 100 each to this Institute. Apart from the above mentioned educational
institutes, the Chamber extended its generous help to set up the Narayanganj HE School
(1953), Trade Union Workers Training Institute (1955), Dacca Law College (1957),
University Oficers Training Corps. (UOTC) (1958), St. Josephs School, Dacca (1959),
Narayanganj Senior Islamia Madrasha (1960), East Regional Laboratory Science High
School (1968), and Narayanganj English Preparatory School (1968). Donations were made
to St. Josephs School (1959) and Udayan School, Dacca (1957) for construction of their
buildings and expansion of rooms. The Chamber also came forward to provide inancial
help for the East-Pakistan Educational Week and Pakistan History and Museum Conference
(1953), and for an excursion tour undertaken by Tolaram College students to travel to West
Pakistan in 1970.422 The Chamber also extended its help to Mr Harun-ur Rashid, a lecturer
of the University of Chittagong for working on his PhD in Japan in 1977.423
5.2 Health Sector
As a part of its benevolent work and social responsibility, the Metropolitan Chamber has
always contributed handsomely to the health sector in this region. The Chamber made a
noteworthy contribution to Victoria Hospital in Narayanganj in 1950s and Holy Family
Hospital in Dhaka in the 1950s and 60s.
5.2.1 Victoria Hospital: Victoria Hospital was the irst hospital set up in Narayanganj. It
was established in 1885 by the municipality with inancial contributions from Harakanta
Banerjee.424 Subsequently, it was handed over to the municipality. In 1939, the Chamber
Committee extended its help for development of the Hospital. The Chamber received an
appeal for donations for the maintenance and upkeep of the institution which was run on
voluntary subscription.425 The donation made to Victoria Hospital was one of the much
appreciated initiatives undertaken by the Chamber in the 1950s.426
The Honorary Secretary of Victoria Hospital requested Narayanganj Chamber to

provide inancial help to it in 1950 and the Chamber did so. At the request of the Hospital
Committee, member-irms of the Chamber contributed to the Victoria Hospitals Poor
Patient Fund427 for a long time. To increase its assistance, the Chamber made an appeal to
421
422
423
424
425
426
427

Minutes of the NCCI, 1970, 20 July, p. 956.
Minutes of the NCCI, 1977, 16 August, p. 1419.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narayanganj
Minutes of the NCC, 1950, 31 January, p. 13; Minutes of the DNCC, 1951, 20 March, p. 64.
Minutes of the NCC, 1950, 31 January, p. 13.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1953, 28 April, p. 202; Minutes of the DNCCI, 1955, 8 March, p. 61; Minutes of the
DNCCI, 1955, p. 91.
its member-irms for voluntary subscriptions. A Womens organization also approached

the Chamber for donation to the female ward of Victoria Hospital.428 The Chamber referred
its appeal to members. In a meeting held on 1 May 1951, the Chamber received a proposal
from the Sub-Divisional Oficer, Narayanganj to send a representative to the Hospital
Committee so that member-irms could continue their donations to the Hospital. The
Chamber Committee accepted the offer and pointed out that most member-irms were
donating money to the Hospital on a regular basis.429
In 1952, DNCC nominated Capt. EG Stevenson of Bangla-Assam Steamship Co. Ltd. and
Mr CEC Guthrie of IGN & RSN Co. Ltd. to the Poor Patient Fund of the Victoria Hospital
Committee.430 As per records, though Victoria Hospital was under the management of the
Municipality, the management of this fund was under the disposal of the Hospital
Committee. In 1956, the Chamber Committee decided that the balance of the fund would be
donated to Holy Family Hospital on certain terms and conditions. In 1959, the SDO of
Narayanganj again requested the Chamber to continue contributing to Victoria Hospital.
5.2.2 Dacca Ladies Club Poor Patients Fund: In response to a request from Dacca Ladies
Club, in 1953, the Chamber contributed Rs 150 from its own fund and requested the
Pakistan Jute Association to consider donating a similar amount for the Clubs Poor
Patients Fund.431
5.2.3 Holy Family Hospital Scheme: In March 1953, the Chamber President Mr RWN
Ferguson was approached by the sisters of Holy Family Hospital to contribute to the Holy
Family Hospital Scheme. In response, the Chamber initiated a scheme for medical
treatment of Chamber employees based on donations made to Holy Family Hospital.432 In
order to implement the scheme, an Adhoc Committee was formed consisting of Mr AD
Boldy and Mr AB Baike of the Chamber. In June 1953, the Chamber issued a circular in
regard to donation policy and a sub-committee was assigned to draw up recommendations
on donations and the medical scheme. Mr MM Ispahani, Mr Ferguson and Mr Boldy were
members of the Sub Committee.433
DNCCI gave donations for the development of Holy Family Hospital in return for
treatment facilities for Chamber staff. In 1956, the balance of the Poor Patient Fund was
handed over to Holy Family Hospital on condition that a certain number of beds would be
428
429
430
431
432
433
Annual Report of the DNCC, 1951, p. 64.

Minutes of the DNCC, 1951, 1 May, p. 70.
Minutes of the DNCC, 1952, 25 April, p. 115.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1953, 1 October, p. 231.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1953, 7 December, p. 244.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1953, 12 May, p. 206; Minutes of the DNCCI, 1953, 27 October, p. 237.
Holy Family Red Crescent Hospital, Dhaka
reserved in the maternity wards for poor patients from Narayanganj who would be
screened by the Fund managers and sent to Holy Family Hospital for free treatment
through a Screening Committee.434 However, this idea was ultimately dropped as some
donors balked at this system and since the government did not approve the transfer of the
Poor Patients Fund to this hospital. In 1958, the Chamber Secretariat arranged for
treatment of some of daily patients without prior appointment in the Hospital.435
In 1959, the Hospital Contact Committee of the Chamber consisted of Mrs. Conventry,
Mr Naser-ud-Deen Khan and Mr Heald, who continued to meet once every month with the
Holy Family Hospital authorities when matters raised by members of the scheme were
discussed and reasons for complaints investigated. The Chamber tried to solve all problems
through regular coordination with the Hospital administration, doctors and patients.436
In 1962, a few member-irms complained about the services. The Chamber took note
of the matter and discussed the issue in detail with the Hospital authority.437 In 1965, when
Holy Family Hospital raised its fees, NCCI agreed to pay according to the revised rate. This
arrangement with Holy Family Hospital continued till the 1960s.
434
435
436
437

Minutes of the NCCI, 1962, 10 September, p. 550.
5.2.4 Dacca Shishu Hospital: After liberation, the Chamber gave donations to the Shisu
(Children) Hospital Project, Dacca in 1977. In a meeting held on 12 April 1977 with hospital
authorities the Chamber supported the cause, nathing that Shishu Hospital was a unique
project and that member-irms of the Chamber would surely give it spontaneous
support.438
5.2.5 Others: Apart from these medical schemes, the Chamber extended its support to
many other health care programs and medical institutions. In the 1950s, for example, the
Chamber made donations to the Womens Small Pox Prevention Committee. The Chamber
donated to the program for prevention of Blindness in East Bengal; it also donated to the
Public Health Day observance events in 1958 and the Malaria Eradication Program. Upon a
request of Dr Mohammed Ibrahim for construction of the Diabetic Clinic at Segunbagicha,
NCCI and its member-irms regularly contributed to the Diabetic Association of Pakistan
from 1963 to 1965.439 In 1966, the Chamber gave donations to the fund set up for Disabled
Air Force Personnel, injured during the 1965 war.
Apart from the Chamber making donations to health-related projects, member-irms

donated to the Health sector on their own. For instance, Mr MM Ispahani of the Ispahani
Group established the Ispahani Eye Hospital at Dhaka while Mr RP Saha of Kumudini
Welfare Trust of Bengal established the biggest private sector hospital in the country in the
1960s, namely Kumudini Hospital at Mirzapur, Tangail.
5.3 Environment Sector
Presently, the Chamber has been making a signiicant contribution to the environmental
sector of Bangladesh. MCCI promoted Environmental Management Program with the
World Bank in 2000; it has taken a part in the campaign launched by the Daily Star for clean
rivers in 2009; and most importantly, it has introduced an Award on the Environment in
2009.
5.3.1 Environmental Management Program: In response to a proposal from the World
Banks Dhaka ofice, the Chamber Committee agreed to join its Environmental Management
Programme for the industrial sector. Under this program, 20 member-organizations of the
Chamber were selected, whose employees were given training on Environmental
Management Systems by World Bank experts.440
438
439
440
Minutes of the NCCI, 1977, 12 April, p. 1395.

Annual Report of the NCCI, 1965, p. 30; Annual Report of the NCCI, 1968, p. 10.
5.3.2 Discussion on Climate Change and Business opportunities: The chamber is

concerned about the impact of climate change and is aware that it is a critical issue for
many countries, including Bangladesh. It thus organized a discussion meeting on 25 August
2010 entitled Climate Change and Business opportunities where some members took part
and exchanged views on the issue. Dr Aynun Nishat, Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University,
and an eminent environmentalist, apprised members of the latest developments on the
issue.441
5.3.3 Environmental Initiatives to Prevent Water Pollution: The Chamber associated

itself with the campaign launched by Daily Star for clean rivers (Buriganga, Sitalakhya, and
Turag) as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The committee noted that
nearly 7500 industrial units have been polluting the three rivers around Dhaka city by
The Chamber President, Mr Abdul Haiz Choudhury, FCA, presenting a crest to

Mr Mahfuz Anam, expressing MCCIs solidarity with the Clean River Campaign
discharging toxic waste, mainly, textile dyes, printing and washing chemicals and efluent
waste of tanneries. The Committee felt, that MCCIs association with the campaign would
make the business community more sensitive to the issue of environmental degradation
and induce business enterprises to introduce efluent treatment measures. Accordingly, a
delegation from the Chamber called on the editor of the Daily Star on June 06, 2009, to
articulate the chambers desire to support the campaign to mitigate the consequences of
polluted river water.442 The editor and publisher of Daily Star Mr Mahfuz Anam expressed
gratitude for MCCIs support in favour of the campaign launched by Daily Star for clear
rivers. The committee also recognized the need for sending invitations to other leading
trade bodies to join with MCCI in expressing the business communitys solidarity with the
campaign for clean rivers.443
441
442
443
Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2009-10, p. 6.

As part its drive to support the Daily Stars Clean Rivers Campaign, the Chamber
organized a meeting with the heads of some major trade bodies and associations at the
Chamber Building on 15 July 2009 to discuss the issue of environment pollution,
particularly the pollution of the three rivers encircling Dhaka City and the role and
responsibilities of the business community in this matter. As a follow up to the solidarity
expressed for the clean rivers campaign, the Committee decided to invite Mr Saber Hossain
Chowdhury, MP, Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Environment for the Parliamentary
Standing Committee of the Ministry of Forest and Environment.444
MCCIs Award Giving Ceremony, June 2, 2010
5.3.4 Introducing Award on Environment: The Chamber continued its support towards
environment protection and the clean river campaign initiated by the Daily Star in 2009.
The Chamber Committee decided to grant three awards; two to deserving journalists in the
print and electronic media for outstanding investigative reporting on the clear river
campaign and one to an enterprise for having taken a commendable program on setting up
an effective efluent treatment plant (ETP). A 5-member committee was set up for selecting
deserving candidates.445 The award comprised a cash grant of Tk 1 lac;
on annual
subscription to international magazines, reports and publications on environmental issues

for a value of up to Tk 50 thousands to deserving journalists and conductors of TV
programs, and a certiicate with a crest to the deserving enterprise. The irst Award
Selection Committee was headed by Dr Akbar Ali Khan, former Adviser to the Caretaker
444
445

Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2009-10, p. 23.
Government. After a vigorous selection process, it selected Mr Pinaki Roy of the Daily Star
as the best investigative journalist, Mr SM Babu of ATN Bangla as the best investigative
conductor of TV program on environmental pollution, and Echotex Limited as the best

enterprise for exemplary initiative undertaken for efluent treatment in 2009.446 The Award
Selection Committee invited nominations of newspaper reports, TV programs, TV feature
ilms and commendable initiatives for different treatment and control of efluent discharge
through newspaper advertisements and by issuing letters to TV channels, press clubs,
editors of newspapers, trade bodies and associations and entrepreneurs. The irst award
giving ceremony was held on 2 June, 2010. As per the announcement made by MCCI, Mr
Pinaki Roy and Mr SM Babu received Taka one lac each, annual subscriptions of
international magazines, reports and publications up to Taka ifty thousand, and an MCCI
plaque. Echotex Limited also received an MCCI plaque as a special award.447
5.3.5 Roundtable on Environment and River Pollution: The Chamber organised a
roundtable discussion among members of the business community, civil society, media, and
policy makers at the Chambers Conference Hall on 26 July, 2009. Mr Saber Hossain
Chowdhury, Honble Member of the Parliament and Chairman of the Environment
Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Forests,

was present in the session as the Chief Guest. Other members of Parliament, presidents and
chairmen of leading trade bodies, the editor of the Daily Star, members of the business
community, media professionals and past presidents of the Chamber were present and
took part in the discussion that focused on the respective roles and responsibilities of the
business community and the government in mitigating environmental challenges. The
Chamber expressed its commitment to spontaneously support any national program on
environmental issues, particularly for saving rivers based on the historic 11-point directive
of the High Court issued on 25 June, 2009. The role of the media, particularly, that of Daily
Star, was praised, for developing public awareness on the environment. The Honourable
members of Parliament present commended the role of the Chamber, and thanked it for
organizing such an event.448
446
447
448

Annual Report of the MCCI: Dhaka, 2010. p. 35.
http://www.mccibd.org/
5.4 Other Services to the Nation (Selective)
Road Repairs (1952): Mr Baikie drew the attention of the Chamber Committee to
the shocking condition of roads in Narayanganj and Dacca. The Chamber wrote to
the Local-Self Government Department, Government of East Bengal, to take

necessary actions for immediate repair of roads.449
Food Supplies (1955): There appeared to be a shortage of rice in Dacca and
Narayanganj, causing a steep rise in prices. A large number of fair price shops
had been opened at Dacca, but it appeared that there was a shortage of supplies
in Narayanganj. The Chamber urged the government to give priority to food
supplies to industrial areas and to open more fair price shops in Narayanganj.450
Chief Ministers Flood Relief Fund (1955): Mr Ispahani advised members that he
had recently been reminded by the Chief Secretary about the Chief Ministers
Flood Relief Fund. The Chief Secretary was somehow under the impression that
the Chamber was not doing its best in contributing to the relief work. The amount
hitherto received by the Chamber amounted to nearly Rs 8,000. It circulated a
449
450
451
452
453
454
reminder to member-irms to come forward and do their best in the situation.451
Double Tract Road (1962): The Chamber took the initiative to help build a double
tract road in Narayanganj as the only road in the city was getting more and more
congested every day.452
Henderson Road (1970): The Chamber decided to assist in repair work of
Henderson Road in Narayanganj.453
Donations to the East Pakistan Relief Fund (1970): The Committee noted that total
donations to the Presidents East Pakistan Relief Fund amounted to Rs 27,700. It

was agreed that as soon as this amount exceed Rs 30,000, a cheque would be
handed over to the Governor.454
Donation to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund (1974): The President appealed to
member-irms for donations to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund to help provide
succor to the lood-stricken people. The minimum and maximum donations
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1952, 5 August, p. 144.

Minutes of the DNCCI, 1955, 15 November, p. 106.
Minutes of the DNCCI, 1955, 2 September, p. 91.
Minutes of the NCCI, 1962, 11 October, p. 553.
Minutes of the NCCI, 1970, p. 949.
455
456
457
458
459
recommended to member-irms were Tk 1000 and Tk 5000. The President

informed them that in response to his appeal, a total donation of Tk 64,000 had
been received by 5 August, 1974 which, along with a donation of Tk 6,000 from
the Chamber, he handed over to the Prime Minister on the same day. The
committee was informed that subsequently two cheques for Tk 5,000 each were
received which were then forwarded to the Prime Minister.455
Donation to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund (1975): In accordance with its past
practice the Chamber Committee considered an appeal for donation to the Prime
Ministers Relief Fund to help provide succor to lood-stricken people. On the
recommendation of the chamber, donations from member totalling Tk 69,000
was received. With the Chambers own donation of Tk 6,000, a total sum of Tk
75,000 was donated to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund.456
Flood in the Country: Donation to Presidents Relief Fund (1980): The Chamber
Committee discussed the situation arising from the loods in the country in
August, 1980 and in response donations were received and cheques for a total of
Tk 2,10,000 were handed over to the Honble Vice-President. The committee also
decided that member-irms, who had been approached for lood relief by their
workers actually affected by the loods, should consider giving them one months
salary recoverable in six monthly installments.457
Donation to the Presidents Relief and Welfare-Fund (1984): The committee
considered an appeal for donation to the President Relief and Welfare-Fund in
view of widespread damage to crops and properties caused by the devastating
lood in May-June, 1984, and decided that an appeal be made to all members of
the Chamber to pay at least a sum of Tk 5,000 to the fund. In response to the
appeal, a total of Tk 3,35,500 was received and handed over to the Presidents
Secretariat.458
Donation to the Presidents Relief & Welfare Fund (1988): In response to an appeal
made by the President of the Chamber, donations were received from some
member-irms and a total of Tk 7,83,626 (inclusive of chambers donation of Tk
2,50,000) was handed over to the President of the country.459

460
461
462
463
464
Donations to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund (1991): The Chamber decided to
issue an appeal for generous donations to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund for the
cyclone and tornado damage suffered by mills and factories in Chittagong and the
colossal loss of lives and properties in the coastal areas experienced on 29 April
in 1991. There was a good response to the appeal and cheques amounting to Tk
21 lakhs were handed over to the Prime Minister.460
Donation of Winter Clothes to Prime Ministers Relief Fund (1998): To mitigate the
sufferings of the poor who were badly affected by the cold winter that the country
had experienced, the Chamber donated a sizable quantity of winter clothing to
the Prime Ministers Relief Fund.461
Contributions to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund (1999): As decided by the
Chamber Committee, the Chamber contributed relief goods worth Tk 5 lacs from
its own fund and also raised another Tk 11 lacs as contributions from
member-irms and donated the amount to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund for
distribution to lood-affected people.462
Donation to the Liberation War Museum (2001): The Chamber contributed an
amount of Tk 5 lac toward the creation of an Endowment Fund for the Liberation
War Museum.463
Donation to the Prime Ministers Relief Fund (2005): As decided by the Committee,
an appeal was made to member-irms for donations through the Chamber to the
Prime Ministers Relief Fund to provide relief to lood-affected people. A sum of
Tk 13 lac was received from 22 member-irms Tk 5 lacs from the Chambers own
funds who added and the total amount was handed over to the Prime Minister on
2 August, 2004.464
Beautiication and Maintenance of Road Island (2005): The Chamber was asked by
the Government to take up the work of beautiication and maintenance of the
trafic island from Bijoy Sarani to Farm Gate Police Box as part of the
beautiication programme of Dhaka City Corporation (DCC). The Chamber took
up the work and six member-irms, viz. Apex Tannery Ltd., Advanced Chemical
Industries Ltd., Renata Limited, Square Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Transcom Limited

and Reliance Insurance Ltd contributed Tk 3 lac each and Nestle Bangladesh Ltd
contributed Tk 1 lac to meet the expenditure incurred in the project.465
Donations to the Chief Advisers Relief and Welfare Fund (2008): The Chamber
appealed to its members for generous donations to the Chief Advisers Relief and
Welfare Fund to provide urgent relief and succor to the lood and Sidr-affected
people in the northern and south-western regions of the country. The members
contributions were handed over to the Chief Adviser to the Government of
Bangladesh.466
5.5 Donations/ Contributions as CSR at a Glance (Selected)

Some examples of the Chambers contributions to Government-sponsored programs and
charitable, cultural and sports organizations are as follows:
465
466
During the irst phase of the Chamber (NCC, 1904-1950), Dacca Club (1911),
Dacca Museum (1913) and Narayanganj Club were supported either by the
Chamber itself, or by its members, who were active members of these clubs.
1943: The government opened a Gruel Kitchen for feeding famine-stricken

people. The Narayanganj Chamber came forward to help distressed people and
approached member-irms to do their best for the sufferers. As a result, mill
owners opened ration-shops.
1950: The Chamber donated enthusiastically to the Government Refugee Fund.
The Chamber also nominated MM Ispahani (1955), WR Longwill (1955), JM Diza
(1956), M Naser-ud-din Khan (1957) to the Government Refugee Relief
Committee.
1952: Donations were made to the Pakistan Hockey Team. Each member of the
Chamber contributed Rs 100.
1953: A donation was made to the Lawn Tennis Association.
1953: The Chamber presented a large bore rile as prize at the Shooting
Championship of the Quaid-e-Azam Rile Club.
1954: Rs 250 was contributed to the Sir Stafford Cripps Memorial Trust by each
member-irm of the Chamber upon the request of the Governor-General.
1954: Donation was made to the Bengal Combined Forces Flag Day.

1954: The Chamber participated in the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
1955: DNCCI contributed to the 6th Pakistan Economic Association Conference

held in Chittagong.
1955: A donation was made to the Sir Stafford Cripps Memorial Trust.
1955: The Chamber and its members donated Rs 25,735 to the Chief Ministers
Flood Relief Fund.
1955: The Chamber contributed Rs 10,000 to the Union Training Scheme.
1956: The Chamber donated to the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmens Fund on the
occasion of Combined Forces Flag Day.
1956: The DNCCI participated, hosted and shared the cost, along with the
Chittagong Chamber and other Trade organizations of hosting a dinner party for
the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
1956: The Chamber received an appeal to donate money to the National Relief
Association of Pakistan and requested member-irms to contribute to it.
1956: A donation was made to the Pakistan Conference for Social Work.
1957: The Chamber contributed to the celebration of Universal Children Day.
1957: The Chamber circulated a request to its members for donating money to Sir
Salimullah Muslim Orphanage.
1957: AK Fazlul Haque, Governor of East Pakistan, made an appeal for donation
to the Governors Relief Fund to help distressed people. The Chamber responded
positively and came up with a huge contribution.
1958: The DNCCI made a donation to the EP Sports Federation.
1958: The Chamber took up a cleanup program named the Dacca Cleanup
Campaign.
1958: Chief Minister Ataur Rahman Khan approached the Chamber for funds for
the victims of famine and epidemics in some parts of East Pakistan. In response,
the Chamber donated a sizeable amount to the Governors Wifes Relief Fund.
1959: The Chamber made donations to the Horse and Cattle Show in Dhaka.
1961: NCCI donated money to the Businessmen Seminar held in Dacca.
1969: In accordance with past practice, the Chamber Committee considered various
appeals and made donations to the Governors Cyclone Relief Fund; the Defence of
Pakistan Day; and the 5th Pakistan Boy Scouts National Jamboree Fund.
1970: A severe cyclone devastated the country on 12 November. The Chamber

Committee appealed to member-irms to donate to the Presidents East Pakistan
Relief Fund. Apart from individual contributions the Chamber handed over Rs
25,000 to the Military Secretary to the Governor.
1970: A donation was made to All Pakistans Science Conference.
1977: A donation was made to the Press Institute of Bangladesh.
1999: Contributions were made by the Chamber to the Prime Ministers Relief
Fund.
2004: The Chamber organizes donations to lood-affected people.
2007: MCCI, Dhaka made donations to the Chief Advisers Relief and Welfare
Fund.
2014: The Chamber, jointly with the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, distributed blankets among the poor and vulnerable people of Rangpur.
Chapter
Conclusion: Into the Future
CONCLUSION: INTO THE FUTURE
In its 110 years history, the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has
undergone numerous changes and overcome innumerable vicissitudes as it traversed the
twentieth century. However, it has entered the new century and millennium as a vibrant
organization, eager to build on the experience it has accumulated in its evolutionary phase,
and poised not only to assist its members proactively in their business dealings but also to
contribute positively to the trade and commerce of the nation in every possible way.
When MCCI began its journey in Narayanganj, as the Narayanganj Chamber of

Commerce in 1904, it was an organization consisting of British business people, focused
almost entirely on the trading of one commodity, jute. Its second phase, as the
Dhaka-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce, lasted only from 1950 to 1952 and not much
could be claimed for its workings at that time, for two years is never enough to leave a mark
in any sphere. The third phase of MCCIs evolution, when it became the Dacca-Narayanganj
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, although once again brief (1952-59), marked a
decisive alteration in the Chambers orientation as well as membership, as local business
people now began to take an active part in it and as the business interests of its members
began to diversify signiicantly. The fourth phase was in every way momentous, for
between 1959 and 1979, East Pakistan had become Bangladesh, and the political process
that led to the liberation of the country in 1971 led to intrinsic changes in the membership
of the Chamber as well as the trade and business activities of its members. And from 1979
onwards, the Chamber has gone from strength to strength; it is now accustomed to play the
role of the premier organization of its type of a country whose economy has been
expanding signiicantly and whose business interests now have truly global dimensions.
This book has attempted to present the rich history of MCCI and trace its development
from a ledgling body to a sizable organization that has now become a considerable
presence in the region. But, the Chamber is determined to build on the reputation it has
acquired and forge ahead in the new millennium when the demands of globalization and
the advent of new forms of businesses and technological innovations are transforming the
business environment everywhere rapidly. There are also new problems that MCCI and its
members are trying to solve together or in league with other agencies and organizations,
such as environmental degradation. In the new millennium, MCCI is also trying to
disseminate the philosophy of corporate social responsibility in a much more systematic
and comprehensive manner than ever before. Certainly, this book has tried to relect such
preoccupations of the Chamber in its current phase.
MCCI can, however, conidently look forward to a future in which it will continue to
play a leading role in contributing to business affairs of the country and in pioneering paths
to prosperity and development in alliance with governmental and non-governmental
agencies working for a Bangladesh dedicated to realizing the United Nations millennial
goals. The Chamber is determined to utilize its resources for proactively promoting trade
and industry in the region. It is also bent on continuing to be an effective channel of
communication between the countrys business community and the government.
This book, published on the anniversary of the 110 years of MCCIs existence, is thus
an occasion for looking back and relecting on the circumstances of the birth and growth of
the chamber. It will, hopefully, allow its readers to consider the achievements of the
Chamber to date and will introduce them to the rich tradition to which its members are
heirs. Hopefully, too, it will inspire members to think of future roads to be taken and heights
to be scaled so that MCCI can continue to play a lead role in contributing to business in
Bangladesh and in promoting regional and international business alliances in the coming
decades of the new millennium.
This book is by no means an exhaustive record of the Chambers evolution and
activities over the decades. A fuller work could surely have been contemplated based on a
more through reading of existing historical documents and reports of the Chamber, more
access to other archival material stored in libraries in Britain and India, and more extensive
interviews taken with Chamber personalities still living. But perhaps the preceding pages
have allowed readers more than a glimpse of the varied and essential features of the
Chambers evolution and have given them a better understanding and appreciation of the
Chambers progress than can be found in any other source at present. No doubt a more
substantial history of the Chamber is still to be written; all we can hope is that this work
will be seen as a notable attempt at recording the main phases and features of MCCIs
history and a work worthy of an organization observing its 110th anniversary.
Selected Events/Activities (1904-2014)

1904
1913
1917
1921
1924
1930
The establishment of the Chamber, consisting of sixteen members, including the

President, Vice-President and Honorary Secretary.
The Honorary Secretary of NCC submits opinion on A Bill to Amend the Indian
Companies Act, 1913, to the Under Secretary to the Government of Bengal,
General Department, on August 26, 1913.
Mr AL Godden (Honorary Secretary of NCC) gives an opinion on Proposal to
Suppress the Adulteration of Indian Produce before Export to the Under
Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Commerce Department, on October 17,
1917.
The Chamber unanimously favors the imperial preference on the Tariff Policy of
the Government of India Trade after the War, Free Trade System, Protection,
Imperial Preference, etc. through a letter to the Secretary to the Government of
Bengal, Commerce Department, November 19, 1921.
NCC participates in the formation of The Indian Trade Unions Bill 1924,
forwarding its opinion to the Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Commerce
Department, November 12, 1924.
Mr RN Story (Honorary Secretary of NCC) comments on Periods of Wage
Payment Bill to the Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Commerce
Department, on November 25, 1924.
The Chamber participates in the preparation of the The Draft Indian Partnership
Bill, forwarding the committee meeting decisions to the Secretary to the
Government of Bengal, Commerce Department. It is represented by Mr JH
Kirkland (Honorary Secretary of NCC), March 1, 1930.

1940
1949
1950
1952
1953
The Chamber contributes to the passing of The Bengal Shops and Establishments
Bill, 1939. Mr H Williams, the Honorary Secretary of NCC, communicates the
Chambers views to the Joint Secretary, Government of Bengal, Commerce and
Labour Department, on January 6, 1940.
Memorandum and Articles of Association adopted by special resolution passed at
an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 11 April, 1949.
Mr Graham, President of the Associated Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan,

visits NCC and meets committee members.
NCC sends some suggestions to Associated Chambers of Commerce of Pakistan
for adoption.
NCC takes an initiative to open a Dacca City Ofice in a committee meeting held on
4 April.
Dacca was included in the altered name of the Chamber at an Extraordinary
General Meeting held on 12 May.
Industry is included in the name of the Chamber on 15 July at an Extraordinary
General Meeting and the committee approves Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of
Commerce and Industry as the new name; believing that the industrialization of
East Pakistan will make it of increasing importance.
Begum Viquarun Nisa Noon, wife of His Excellency, the Governor of East Bengal,
addresses the Chamber on 3 February. The Chamber President is nominated to
serve on the Governing Body of the Viquarun Nisa Noon School. The Chamber
donates Rs 61,750 to the school.
The Chamber takes an initiative on 10 March regarding the improvement of
telegraphic communication between East Pakistan and United States and
approves the scheme of a radio link through Manila.
1954
1955
1956
The Chamber, in its committee meeting held on 22 June, decides to publish a

monthly bulletin from July 1953. The Chamber also considers bringing out a
commercial periodical in the future.
The Chamber is invited by the Chancellor of the University of Dhaka to nominate

a member to the Court of the University.
The Honorable Prime Minister is present at the Annual General Meeting on 8
January and gives an address.
His Excellency Sir Gilbert Laithwaite, High Commissioner for the United Kingdom
in Pakistan, visits the Chamber and has a meeting with committee members
(14-15 January).
The Chamber is requested, in March 1954, by the London Chamber of Commerce

to act as an examining authority in the eastern part of Bengal. The proposal is
accepted by the Chamber and a supervisory committee is appointed for this
purpose.
United States Trade Mission visits DNCCI on 21 August.
The Chamber donates Rs 10,750 to the Trade Union Workers Training Scheme,
introduced by the Government of East Bengal on 11 October.
The 6th All Pakistan Economic Conference is held in Chittagong from 26-30
December. The Chamber participates and contributes actively to proceedings.
Sir Alexander Symon, High Commissioner for United Kingdom, visits the
Chamber and meets Committee members on 16 January.
Reception to the Governor General of Pakistan, Major General Iskander Mirza and
Begum Mirza on 24 January.
AK Fazlul Haque, Governor of East Pakistan, attends the AGM of DNCCI on 6 April
as the Chief Guest and delivers a speech.
Mr Mohammad Ali, Prime Minister of Pakistan, delivers a speech to members of

DNCCI on 30 April.
1957
1958
1959
Sir Alexander Symon, High Commissioner for United Kingdom, visits the
Chamber on 16 January and meets committee members.
Mr Haas, French Trade Counsellor in Pakistan (27 March), and Mr M Kadir,
Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (7 January), visit the Chamber and
interact with members.
Dr Hernan Romero, ILO Expert on Social Security, visits DNCCI on 20 December.

Mr RF Kinsey and Mr DN Twyford of the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation, UK
visit DNCCI on 23 January.
The Chamber committee has a discussion meeting Mr Eugene Braderman,
Director of International Trade, US Department of Commerce, USA on 30 January.

AK Fazlul Haque, Governor of East Pakistan, attends the 53rd AGM of DNCCI on 4
March as Chief Guest and delivers a speech.
Members of the World Banks Economic Mission, headed by Mr G Neil Perry, visit
the Chamber on 3 June.
The 54th AGM is held on 9 December in the Chamber Ofice. Mr Zakir Husain,
Governor of East Pakistan, is present as the Chief Guest.
An Extraordinary General Meeting is held, on re-organization of the Chamber, on
20 December.
Mr Zuliquar Ali Bhutto, Minister for Commerce of the Government of Pakistan,
meets the Chamber committee on 26 December.
The government renames and reorganizes the Chamber as the Narayanganj
Chamber of Commerce and Industry by issuing a letter and license on 20 March

which is approved unanimously in an Extraordinary General Meeting of the
Chamber held on 11 August.
1960
1961
1962
1963

Members of the US Trade Mission visit the Chamber on 11 February and meet the
Chamber Committee.
The Chamber decides on 23 May to donate the Henderson Road land to the
Naryanganj Education Society with the stipulation that the Society will change its
name to the Narayanganj Chamber Education Society and that the Chamber will
have a certain number of representatives on the Board of Directors.
The Chamber participates in the Asian Trade Seminar held in Karachi for 6 days
from 28 December 1961 to 2 January 1962.
Under pressure from the Chamber, the Minister for Commerce, on 14 September,
inally announces 34 percent reduction in the export duty on tea.
NCCI and DCCI reach an agreement in regard to the jurisdiction of these two
Chambers as follows: 1. Narayanganj Chamber: Bhairab, Tongi, Faridpur and
Goalundo; 2. Dacca Chamber: Tangail and Tejgaon.
Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) asks NCCI on
23 February to nominate a delegate to the 46th session of the ILO Conference.
The Chamber Committee meets French team of bankers and industrialists on 15

March.
The Chamber protests the newly framed rules on Trade Organization Ordinance
1961 and resolves accordingly at a committee meeting held on 7 June.
NCCI receives an invitation from the Chicago Chamber of Commerce on 12 April
and representatives attend the Chicago International Trade Fair from 25 July to
12 August.
Abdul Monem Khan, Governor of East Pakistan, joins the AGM of the Chamber
held on 31 January as the Chief Guest.
NCCI participates in the convention of the All Pakistan Chamber of Commerce

held on 24 September and the All Pakistan Exporters Convention held on 16
November.
1964
1965
The Chamber sanctions a donation on 10 October to the Economics Department

of Dhaka University for organizing an exhibition on the Economic Development of
Pakistan.
An Extraordinary General Meeting is held and the Articles of Association of NCCI

is amended on 15 October.
An important meeting is held on 5 March between the Federation of British
Industries Group led by Mr FJE Tearle and the NCCI Committee.
An Italian Trade delegation visits the Chamber on 16 July and has a joint meeting
with NCCI and the Pakistan Jute Association.
The Chamber forwards concrete suggestions on taxation policy to the Ministry of

Finance on 11 March.
The President of Pakistan and the Governor of the East Pakistan call upon the
business community on 18 August to help in the war effort. NCCI handles the
situation tactically and says that this matter should be taken up by the zonal
committee of the Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(FPCCI).
1966
1967
Cyclone-effected employees of the NCCI and member irms are given one months
gross salary for quick recovery.
NCCI takes an initiative on 25 November to set up a proper Business

Administration Institute in University of Dhaka after conducting a meeting with
Dr Den Orescanin, Advisor of the Institute.
Major General HWG Wijeyekoon, Ceylonese High Commissioner in Pakistan,
visits the Chamber on 17 November.
Michael Montague and Ian F Trevor, Chairman and Executive Secretary of the
British National Export Councils Asia Committee visit NCCI on 16 October and
meet the Chamber committee.
NCCI purchases Al-Bawany Chamber Building (122/124, Motijheel, Dhaka) on 1

November and sets up the new ofice of the Chamber.
NCCI sells its old building (87/88, Motijheel, Dhaka) to the Pakistan Red Cross
Society for Rs 6 lakh 50 thousand on 2 November.
In order to raise money to purchase Al-Bawany Chamber in Dacca, the Chamber

building in Narayanganj is sold to the Pakistan Jute Association in November for
Rs 6 lakhs.
1968
1970
1971
1972
Chinese Trade Delegation and German Economic Mission come to the Chamber
ofice and have meetings on 31 October and 17 November.
The Chamber receives and holds meetings with the US Trade and Investment
Mission (19 February), the Spanish Trade Delegation (20 March) and the Italian
Trade Delegation (23 March).
Vice-Admiral SM Ahsan, Governor of East Pakistan, joins the second part of the
65th AGM held on 6 May and delivers his speech at Hotel Inter-Continental.
8 delegates from NCCI join the Businessmens Convention in Dacca in July and
project the Chambers point of view.
In a meeting, held on 12 March, the Chamber decides to break from its tradition
of non-involvement in political movement of any kind. Deeming the current
movement a peoples one, the Chamber Committee unanimously agrees to get
involved with it under the leadership of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Chamber decides in a committee meeting on 22 December to congratulate

the Mukti Bahini and offer thanks for its services towards the freedom of the
country. The meeting demands immediate release of the Father of the Nation,
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
The Committee decides that the Chamber pledge its whole-hearted support to the
government in its task of building a prosperous country free from exploitations.
NCCI condemns the inhuman massacre of intellectuals and demands an enquiry
into the matter in a committee meeting held on 22 December.
In a committee meeting held on 4 February the Chamber decides to arrange a tea

party instead of their regular annual dinner party in keeping with the need for
austerity.
1974
1975
1976

are amended on 18 March.
Mr MR Siddiqi, Minister for Trade and Commerce, delivers a speech at the AGM
held on 23 March.
The Chamber Committee decides at meetings on 10 January and 18 December
that no function will be organized and that no Chief Guest will henceforth be
invited to AGMs.
NCCI meets the Minister for Industries to present its views on measures needed
to be taken for the improvement of investment in the country.
The Chamber Committee submits proposals for Import and Export Policies for
the July-December 1975 shipping period and for the 1975-76 inancial years,
respectively.
The Committee discusses the question of afiliation of the Chamber with the
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry and decides to
join the Federation.
NCCI successfully opposes a proposal on the formation of a Federation of

Bangladesh Export Organisation by the Ministry of Commerce.
The 71st AGM is held on 17 February and Dr MN Huda, member of the Advisory
Council to the President of Bangladesh and Chief Martial Law Administrator, joins
the annual dinner, which is followed by the AGM.
The Chamber President informs the committee on 30 June that the Ministry of
Commerce, Government of Bangladesh, had asked the Chamber to arrange a
meeting with the Trade Delegation from Pakistan.
President of the NCCI is included in the Committee on New Design and
Reconstruction of Shaheed Minar on 9 September.
The Chamber is invited to be part of a delegation to Malaysia, Singapore, Hong
Kong and Japan to invite foreign investors to Bangladesh.
The NCCI President has a meeting with the Chief Martial Law Administrator held
on 8 December.
1977
The Chamber committee meets a Belgian Delegation of Industrialists on 17

January.
The Chamber Committee has a meeting on 10 May with Mr Claude Vidalain,

Charge De Mission, French External Trade Council.
1978
1979

are amended on 24 March.
Japanese Trade Delegation visits NCCI.
Two delegates from the NCCI join a Six-Week International Training Course on
Export Development for Private Businessmen in Canberra (Australia) from 1
November to 14 December.
Mr Jamal Uddin Ahmed, Member of the Presidents Council of Advisors, in-charge
of the Ministry of Industries, delivers a speech at the Chambers luncheon on 2
March in reply to the address by the Chamber President, Mr Anis ud Dowla.
Economic Mission of Italian Traders and Industrialists and 10-Member Nepalese
Trade Delegation visit NCCI and have meetings with the Chamber committee on 7
February and 27 March respectively. A mission from Investment Promotion
Services, Switzerland is received by the Chamber.
The Chamber continues to conduct examinations of the London Chamber of
Commerce and Industry held during the months of December (1977) and May
(1978) respectively.
At the request of the Planning Commission, Government of Bangladesh, a seminar

on the Two-Year Plan is held at the Chamber Building on 20 June to relect the
views of trade and industry to the draft plan. NCCI presents 3 papers on the issue
at the meeting.
NCCI celebrates the Diamond Jubilee of the Chamber (1904-1979) and publishes
an Annual Report (1978-79) with 11 messages from past presidents, dignitaries
as well as 3 special articles. Supplements are published in four local dailies.
The Chamber Committee inalizes its suggestions for the Import Policy for
1979-80 which are forwarded for consideration to the Ministry of Commerce.
Most of the suggestions are accepted by the government.
1980
1981
Mr Saifur Rahman, Minister for Commerce of Government of Bangladesh, delivers

a speech in reply to the address by the President of NCCI at the Diamond Jubilee
Celebration on 20 June.
The National Board of Revenue approves the Narayanganj Chamber Benevolent
and Scholarship Fund on 3 July.
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dacca (MCCI), emerges

replacing NCCI the requirements of government regulations. This change is
approved at an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 20 December.
MCCI members attend the Third General Conference of the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) held in New Delhi from 21
January to 8 February and a member presents a paper on Industrialisation in the
1980s and Beyond: Its Logic and Policies. The Chamber hands over a copy of the
paper to the Deputy Prime Minister in-charge of the Ministry of Industries,
Government of Bangladesh.
Mr Jamal Uddin Ahmad, Deputy Prime Minister in-charge of the Ministry of
Industries, Government of Bangladesh, delivers a speech at the Annual Dinner on
the occasion of the 75th AGM of the Chamber on 15 March.
The Chamber committee has a series of meetings with Dr WJ Rijpma, Director,

CBI, Rotterdam, The Netherlands on 4 February; the Review Mission of the
International Trade Centre, Geneva and the Swedish International Development
Agency on 23 October; and Mr EJ Westnedge, Director of British Executive Service
Overseas (BESO) and others on 24 November.
Representatives of the British and South Asian Trade Association, London and
President of the Fuji Economic Planning Corporation of Japan and other
representatives visit MCCI on 29 January and 14 April respectively.
An Extraordinary General Meeting is held and Articles of Association of MCCI are

amended by a special resolution on 7 February.
Justice A Sattar, Vice President of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, delivers a

speech at the Annual Dinner on the occasion of the 76th AGM of the Chamber on 2
April.
Two important delegations come to the Chamber this year one an
eight-member delegation of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and
1982
1983
Industry and the other a delegation of the Association of Indian Engineering

Industry. Both meetings prove mutually fruitful.
Two-member and Five-member World Bank Teams have meetings with the
Chamber Committee on 15 October and 23 October respectively.
MCCI submits a paper on Credit Policy to Bangladesh Bank.
The Chamber has meetings with Ministers for Industries, Finance and Planning
and recommends denationalization of jute and textile, submitting a written paper
on Nationalisation of Industries in Bangladesh A Review of the Experiment: A
Case for Denationalisation.
MCCI congratulates the government for announcing a liberal industrial policy.

The committee also examines the newly promulgated Ordinance Drugs
(Control) Ordinance, 1982 which prohibited manufacture and import of a large
number of pharmaceutical products.
Mr AJ Cliff, Chief of the Bangladesh Division of the World Bank and the World
Bank Mission, visits MCCI on 7 October.
The Chamber Committee meets Dr HA Wuttke, the Executive Vice-President of

International Finance Corporation, an afiliate of the World Bank and his team, in
the irst week of January.
MCCI meets with the Chief Martial Law Administrator Lt General HM Ershad on 4
May, and the President and the immediate past President of the Chamber deliver
their speeches highlighting import, export and other relevant policies for
1983-84. The meeting is attended by Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions,
Secretaries of different Ministries, senior civil and military oficials and members
of trade and industry.
The Chamber considers a proposal for formation of a Joint Chamber of Commerce
between MCCI and the Chamber of Trade of Nepal and for sending a trade
delegation to Nepal sometime in October or November.
Bangladesh-Japan Joint Committee for Commercial and Economic Co-operation
led by Mr Kiku Ikeda has a meeting with the Chamber Committee, followed by
lunch, on 21 November.
Memorandum of Association amended by Special Resolution is passed at an
Extraordinary General Meeting held on 28 December.

1984
1985
1986
A number of important visitors and delegations visit MCCI during the year.
Among them are: a Delegation from Engineering Export Promotion Council of
India led by Mr JL Anand (11 April), a 13 Member delegation from the Federation
of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (23 July) and a World Bank/
ADB Team on 17 October.
The Committee inalizes the Chambers comments on two important documents

for the Planning Commission Thoughts on the Third Five-Year Plan (1985-90)
and Thoughts about Perspective Plan (1980-2000).
The Committee considers the invitation of the International Chamber of
Commerce (ICC), Paris, for afiliation with them, and decides to join the ICC.
The Trade Organisations Rules, 1985, is inally gazetted on the 25 April and most
of the views of the Chamber, earlier submitted to the government, are
accommodated.
A delegation from the Arab Chamber of Commerce and a high-powered team
from International Monetary Fund visit the Chamber and have meetings with the
Committee on 20 April and 11 July respectively.
The Chamber Committee meets the World Bank Team of experts on Energy
Conservation and Development Programme, where views are exchanged for
further development of the energy sector.
The President of the MCCI is made a member of the 29-Member Council of the
National Council for Industrial Development constituted by the Government of
Bangladesh.
A large number of visitors, including Mr Anwar Hossain, Minister for Energy and
Mineral Resources, visit the Chamber to meet member-irms. Several missions
from international agencies such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank and
International Trade Centre visit the Chamber and hold discussions on a number
of issues.
An Extraordinary General Meeting is held and the Articles of Association of MCCI
are amended by a special resolution on 10 July.

1987
The Chamber continues to conduct examinations of the London Chamber of
Commerce and Industry.
World Bank, Bangladesh Malaysia Joint Colloquium and Swedish Trade
Delegation hold discussions on a number of issues with the Chamber Committee.

MCCI publishes a book titled Industry in Bangladesh.
The Chamber sends a trade delegation to Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and
Australia to explore possibilities of further expansion of trade with these

countries.
The Chamber has a post-budget meeting on 6 July where the Deputy Prime
Minister, Deputy Minister for Finance, Chairman of National Board of Revenue,

Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Commerce Secretary are present. A number of
member-irms raise different problems and issues relating to new import and
1988
export policies.
Messrs Don Westmore and Peter Collins, Department of Commerce, Government
of the USA visit Chamber on 27 March and address members.
Ms Page Ramsey Hays from United States Export-Import Bank addresses
members of the MCCI on 8 May.
A number of trade missions and missions from international agencies, such as
World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation and
Commonwealth Development Corporation, hold discussions with the Chamber

on a number of issues relating to the development of trade and commerce.
The Chamber prepares a paper in August on increased electricity tariff and its
adverse effects on Jute, Textile and other industries. Suggestions for Ministry of
Energy and Mineral Resources are put forward but no action is taken by the
government
MCCI expresses concern at loss of working hours during November and
December. It issues press releases showing that, out of 51 working days, mills and
factories had lost of 232 hours production and increased losses of Tk 345 Crore.

1989
1990
Dr Hyung S Choi, Ex-Minister for Science and Technology, Republic of Korea, and
a delegation from the Confederation of Engineering Industry of India (CEI) meet
members of the Chamber.
The Chamber Committee has a series of meetings with the Prime Minister,
Finance Minister, Minister for Planning, Commerce Minister, and the Secretary of
the Ministry of Industries and other important oficials.
The Committee approves a paper incorporating the Chambers suggestions for

the Fourth Five-Year Plan. The paper is handed over to the Minister for Planning.
A Press release is issued and letters are sent to the President and the Vice
President of the Government of Bangladesh by MCCI on the governments
decisions on Insurance Business. In these letters it is pointed out that restrictions
on the sponsors of banking companies to sponsor insurance companies has been
retained, apparently to stop monopolistic trends in the economy, but such
restrictions would eliminate the scope of involving many enterprising
businessmen in the insurance industry. MCCI advises government to withdraw
these restrictions.
The Chambers Trade Delegation visits some European countries. They hold
successful business meetings with the Confederation of British Industry,
Confederation of German Chamber of Commerce, German Employers Federation
and Stockholm Chamber of Commerce.
amended by a special resolution on 4 September.
The Chamber Committee submits its suggestions to the government for
amendments to the Customs Act, 1969, and the Excise Act, 1944.
MCCI produces a short video ilm with the help of the Board of Investment to
depict prospects of industrialization in the country.
Mr Bernard Vieux, Inspector General of Finance, Government of France, visits

MCCI on 31 October and delivers a speech.
are amended by a special resolution on 31 December.
1991
1992

The Chamber Committee welcomes the 12th Constitution Amendment Bill, 1991
and issues a press release declaring that it is a landmark in the journey to
parliamentary democracy.
MCCI expresses deep concern in a press release on 6 March over some provisions
of the Financial Sector Adjustment Credit (FSC) agreement which the
Government had concluded with the World Bank.
On behalf of the business community, the Chamber requests the Finance Minister
to solicit public opinion on Banking Companies Bill, 1991 introduced in the
Parliament in May. MCCI claims that the bill contains some provisions which are
contrary to the existing Companies Act and Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962.
MCCI, DCCI and CCCI issue a joint press release on 5 June expressing concern and
disappointment at the recent publication of a list of defaulters by the Bangladesh
Bank. The press release emphasizes that Bangladesh Banks list actually has
worked to protect defaulters.
The Chamber members attend a meeting to discuss recently introduced VAT
system on 4 July and feel that the system will prove to be beneicial for the
country in the long run.
Mr Richard D Harding, the visiting Director of South Asian Affairs, Department of

Commerce, Government of the USA, in a meeting with MCCI members held on 16
July pledges continued support of his government to help promote Bangladeshs
export in the USA.
The Chamber issues a press release on 17 March expressing gratitude to parties
who refused to extend support to SKOPs strike programme, thereby establishing
an example of keeping national interests above political expediency.
The Chamber, in collaboration with the Jatiyo Press Club, organizes a two-day
seminar on 10-11 May entitled Policy Options for Economic Breakthrough which
is inaugurated by Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia MP and where the closing
session is graced by the Opposition Leader of Parliament, Sheikh Hasina MP.
MCCI issues a press release on 19 June on Budget for 1992-93 and expresses its
deep concern about importance of protecting local industries by mentioning
appropriate measures to be taken to safeguard their interest.
1993
1994
An 11-member delegation from the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry

led by Mr Mumtaz Ahmad meets the members of the MCCI and a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) between MCCI and BCCI is signed on 1 November
envisaging expanded industrial co-operation between India and Bangladesh.
A large number of visitors, including Mr M Saifur Rahman, Minister for Finance,

visit the Chamber to meet member-irms. Several missions from international
agencies such as Royal College of Defence Studies, UK, visit the Chamber.
Discussions are held with Chamber members on important issues of mutual
concern.
MCCI and the World Bank jointly organize a seminar on Expanding Private
Investment where the key-note speaker is Dr Hernan Buchi, former Minister for
Finance of Chile.
The Chamber issues a press release on 12 May stating that SKOPs strike has been
overwhelmingly ignored and that workers of mills and factories in Dhaka, Khulna
and Chittagong did not respond to the strike call.
Mr S Venkitaramanan, former Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, visits MCCI

and delivers the key-note speech on Foreign Exchange De-Regulation in a
meeting held on 27 September.
Minister for Finance, Minister for Industries, Minister for Energy and Mineral
Resources and Minister for Communications, separately visit the Chamber and
meet its members in the course of the year.
Dr Akbar Ali Khan, Chairman of NBR, addresses members of the Chamber on 13

September and 7 December.
A High-powered VAT Task Force consisting of senior oficials of the government
of Nepal meets members of the Chamber in its Conference Hall on 4 January.
MCCI urges the government not to declare any public holiday on 30 January on
the occasion of the City Corporation Elections in the 4 cities. It issues a press
release on 26 January and mentions that one days production loss in
non-agricultural activities amounts to at least Tk 150 crore.
A Turkish Delegation headed by Mr Tavik Isil UNEL, Prime Ministers Under

Secretary of Treasury and Foreign Trade, along with Mr Kutlu Ozguvene, Turkish
1995
Ambassador to Bangladesh, calls on the President and the Secretary General of

the Chamber on 4 April.
The Chamber Committee continues to review the meeting of the Indo-Bangladesh

Joint Economic Committee which consists of representatives of the Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII) and the Chamber. Meetings are held every month,
alternatively in Dhaka and New Delhi or Kolkata.
The Chamber organizes a seminar with the World Bank on South Asian
Economies in the 21st Century, on 4 May. Lord Meghnad Desai, Professor of
Economics of London School of Economics, is the key-note speaker. A large
number of businessmen, diplomats, academics, journalists, trade union
representatives and members of parliament take active part in the discussions
that ensue.
MCCI-CII Joint Task Force Members attend a series of meetings during the year.
Dr Manmohan Singh, Indian Finance Minister, addresses the members of the

Chamber in a meeting organized by the MCCI-CII Joint Task Force on 12 July.

are amended by a special resolution adopted on 1 November.
MCCI receives a letter from the Ministry of Commerce authorizing only the Export
Promotion Bureau to issue Certiicates of Origin (COO) in respect of textile
products to European Union (EC) countries, under Rule 4 of the governments
Textile Trade and Quota Administration Rules, 1991. The Chamber decides to
take up the matter with the government, pointing out that under the Trade
Organisations Rules, 1994, the Chamber of Commerce has full authority to issue
COO.
The President and the Vice President of the Chamber go to Rome to participate in
a seminar on Bangladesh Investment Climate and Trade Opportunities held from
30 January to 1 February.
Mr Binod Dubey, Director of World Bank, and a group of Thai businessmen visit
the Chamber and meet members.
The Chief of the World Bank Resident Mission, Dhaka, Mr Pierre Landell-Mill,
along with his senior colleagues, meets the Chamber Committee on 27 March.
MCCI releases a book entitled Shaping South Asias Future Role of Regional
Cooperation on 19 April. Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr ASM Mostaizur
Rahman, is present on the occasion.
1996
The Ministry of Commerce requests the Chamber to attend the 6th

Bangladesh-Pakistan Joint Economic Commission to be held in Islamabad on 25
July. The Committee sends a member to join the meeting.
MCCI welcomes the trade and investment delegation from the Peoples Republic
of China to the Chamber on 12 September.
A British Infrastructure and Technology Mission, led by Mr Peter Lee, meets

members of the Chamber on 25 November.
A large number of visitors, including Advisers of Caretaker government, Mr Syed
Manzur Elahi, Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, Mr Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed and Minister for
Commerce and Industries, Mr Tofael Ahmed, the NBR Chairman, Dr Akbar Ali
Khan, visit and meet members of the Chamber over the course of the year. Mr
David N Merrill (US Ambassador) and Ms Renee Veyret (French Ambassador) also
hold meetings with the Chamber Committee.
13-member delegations from the Indian Foreign Service Institute meet members
of MCCI on 13 May. The delegation is headed by Mrs Sujatha Singh.
The 15th Batch of the BCS (Taxation) Oficers meet Chamber members on 20 April.
The World Bank Resident Representative, Mr Pierre Landell-Mills, along with

other senior colleagues, meets the Chamber Committee on 30 June.
The Chamber issues a press release on 29 July praising the budget of 1996-97 and
mentioning several welcome features which would help improve the investment
climate in the country.
Mr Samson H Chowdhury, Chamber President, hands over a copy of the

Chambers publication entitled Economic Agenda of the New Government to Mr
Tofael Ahmed MP, Minister for Commerce and Industries, on 28 July.
A Turkish Trade Delegation led by Mr Omer Besim Kufrevi, Vice-President,

Executive Board, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce, meet the Chamber Committee
on 27 July and Mr Kufrevi delivers a speech.
A Thai Trade Mission headed by Mr Photipong Lamsam, along with Mr Sunthorn
Vidhyameth, Ambassador of Thailand in Bangladesh, meets members of MCCI on
8 October.
A British Trade Mission, headed by Mr David Walker, the British High

Commissioner, and Ms Miriam R McIntosh, British Deputy High Commissioner in
Bangladesh, meets the members of MCCI on 26 October.
1997
The countrys trade and industry welcomes the historic agreement reached in
Singapore by 128 member nations of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 13
December. Chamber representatives take an active part as part of the Bangladesh
delegation.
MCCI welcomes the Ganges Water Sharing Treaty and issues a press release on 18
December signed by the President Samson H Chowdhury to that effect.
Mr Tofael Ahmed MP, Minister for Commerce and Industries, addresses a
discussion meeting on Outcome of the 1st Ministerial Conference of World Trade
Organization organized by DCCI and MCCI on 5 January.
Members of the British Overseas Trade Board Mission meet the members of MCCI
on 26 January.
MCCI urges the government, on behalf of the countrys trade and industry, that
the weekly holiday be changed from Friday to Sunday. In a press release issued on
20 March, the Chamber states that importers and exporters have been losing
business opportunities for 2 days of the week from September 1982 onwards,
when the weekly holiday was suddenly changed from Sunday to Friday without
any consultation with trade and industry.
A delegation from MCCI-CII Joint Economic Council (JEC) meets the Indian Prime
Minister Mr IK Gujral in New Delhi on 28 May. The Indian Prime Minister
appreciates the proactive role of the MCCI-CII JEC and shows considerable
interest in supporting the strengthening of ties between the two countries.
A Dutch delegation, headed by Mr W De Vries, Director for Commercial Affairs,
City of Groningen, meets members of the Chamber on 22 June.
An MoU is signed between MCCI and the Confederation of Singapore Industries
on 10 July after a seminar on Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh held in
Singapore.
The Chamber initiates a series of seminars to develop awareness on quality

improvement and competitiveness, at the advent of globalization. Dr Madhab
Mehra, President of World Quality Council, is the Resource Speaker at the irst
seminar held on 20 November.
Members of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry
meet members of MCCI on 26 December.
1998
Several meetings are held with Ministers for Finance and Commerce and
Industries during the year and the Chamber discusses the Share Market Scam and
submits proposals to the government in this regard.
The members of the Chamber Committee meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on
7 January and discuss issues relating to the Chittagong Port, Power Supply,
Labour Sector Reforms etc.
Dr William P Fuller, President of the Asia Foundation and Dr Karen L Casper,
Representative of the Asia Foundation, Dhaka, meet members of the Chamber and
speak to its members on 14 January.
MCCI has a meeting with the South Asian Group of Eminent Persons on 9
February. They exchange views with members and acknowledge the Chambers
capacity to contribute in the formulation of policy guidelines for the development
of the region.
MCCI receives Mr Anthony Png Choo Ling, leader of the Singapore Trade and
Investment Mission and his 12-member team at the Chamber ofice on 23 March
and discusses trade and investment issues.
The Minister for Finance, Mr SAMS Kibria MP, addresses members of MCCI at a
pre-budget discussion meeting held on 1 April.
The Minister for Commerce and Industries, Mr Tofael Ahmed MP, addresses the
members of MCCI at a pre-budget discussion meeting held on 27 April.
The Chamber and Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies jointly organizes a
Workshop on Dissemination of Awareness on Environmental Conservation Act
1995 and Rules 1997, on 14 May. The workshop identiies several problem areas
for industries arising from the legal requirements of obtaining environmental
clearance.
A large number of visitors and a number of missions visit MCCI during the year.
Among the visitors are: Ms Renee Veyret (French Ambassador), Ms Cristina
Funes-Noppen (Belgian Ambassador), Mr Andre Lorent (Belgian Trade
Commissioner), Dr William P Fuller (President, The Asian Foundation) and Dr
Chakradhari Agrawal (Secretary General, World Association of Small and Medium
Enterprises).
Missions are received from the World Bank, IMF, Confederation of Indian Steel
Industry and TDB SCI Singapore Infrastructure Mission. A French Trade Delegation
and a delegation from the Indian Foreign Service also visit the Chamber.
1999
2000

The Commerce Secretary, MCCI President, ICC-Bangladesh President and DCCI
President meet delegates of the governments of SAARC countries at a meeting
hosted by the MCCI on 31 January to discuss main features of the 3rd Tariff
Agreement under SAPTA.
Dr Joseph Stiglitz, Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of the World Bank,
visits the Chamber and meets committee members on 15 March to discuss
economic issues.
MCCI, FICCI, BEAF, BGMEA, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufactures and Exporters

Association, Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association and Bangladesh Frozen Foods
Exporters Association jointly present a press release urging reconsideration of
hartal programme declared by political parties. The press release is issued on 12
April.
The Chamber extends host facilities to a Taiwan Turnkey, Engineering &
Electronic Trade Mission from 8-9 April.
Missions of the European Unions meet with members of the Chamber Committee
on 11 April to discuss economic issues.
Dr M Farashuddin, Governor of Bangladesh Bank, visits the Chamber on 17 May

to discuss issues relating to the inancial sector.
A delegation from the Chamber visits Singapore to attend a seminar on Business

Opportunities in Bangladesh organized by the Chamber, jointly with the
Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore, Singapore Confederation of
Industries and Singapore Trade Development held on 14 July.
A Business Delegation from FKCCI visits MCCI ofice and signs Business
Cooperation Agreement on 27 July.
A 15-member Trade and Investment Delegation from Singapore Confederation of
Industry (SCI) and Singapore Trade Development Board (STDB), led by Mr
Ridzwan Dzair, meets members of MCCI on 12 October.
The Chamber Committee meets the Minister of Commerce and Industries on 31

December to discuss key issues.
MCCI organizes a day-long workshop on Energy Management at the Chambers
Conference Hall on 24 January.
2001
Dr David Carter, the British High Commissioner in Bangladesh, visits the Chamber
on 14 February.
The Joint Economic Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CII-MCCI JEC) holds its second
meeting on 23 February and discusses various aspects of Indo-Bangladesh
co-operation on trade and industry.
The members of the Chamber meet the Finance Minister, Mr Shah AMS Kibria, for
a pre-budget discussion meeting held in the Chamber ofice on 28 March.
Several training courses such as Marketing Strategies and Sales Promotion, and
Production Planning and Quality Control are organized by the Chamber under
the Management Development Programme during the months of JanuaryMarch, August, September and October.
The Chamber organizes a two-day visit of a forty-member trade delegation from

Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Business Council (SLBBC), Colombo, which explores
business and investments prospects in Bangladesh, during March 29-30. The
delegation has a bilateral business meeting with Chamber members where the
Commerce Minister is present as the Chief Guest.
The Chamber President, Mr Latifur Rahman, presents a paper on Public and
Private Sectors of the Bangladesh Economy at the Administrative Staff College in
Mirpur, Dhaka on 29 March.
Mr Jan Axel Voss, Deputy Head of Mission of German Embassy in Bangladesh,

meets the President and Secretary-General of the Chamber on 6 July and
discusses issues of bilateral interest.
The Chamber, jointly with Save the Children, UK, sponsors the launching
ceremony of a publication Big Business, Small Hands: Responsible Approaches
to Child Labor on 21 November. HRH Princess Anne of the United Kingdom
graces the occasion.
Several training courses are organized by the Chamber under the rubric of
Management Development Programme during the months of August, September
and December.
The Chamber organizes a half-day discussion meet on World Trade Organization
(WTO) and issues arising from its programmes for phasing out of tariff and
non-tariff barriers by January 1. Mr Muchkund Dubey, former Permanent
2002
Representative of India to the WTO, is the Guest Speaker. Mr MA Jalil, Minister for
Commerce, inaugurates the Meeting.
A Chamber delegation headed by its President meets Chief Adviser of the
Caretaker Government on 26 August. MCCI submits several proposals, relating to
the development of the economy of Bangladesh, at the meeting.
A two-day workshop on Strategies for Competitive Success is organized by MCCI

in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta, from 19 to 20
November. Professor Ranjan Das of IIM, Calcutta, delivers his speech as the
Resource Person.
Under its management development programme, the Chamber organises third
semester classes of the One Year International Business Programme (IBP) offered
by the Indian Institute of Management, Calcutta (IIMC), in association with the
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka, from 5 to 15 January.
The Chamber meets with Mr Nicholas Stern, Chief Economist and Senior
Vice-President of the World Bank, Washington DC, at the Chambers ofice on 8
January.
Mr Abdul Razak Dawood, Minister of Commerce, Industries and Production of

Pakistan, visits the Chamber and delivers a speech to members of MCCI on 29 January.
The Chamber, under its energy management programme, organises a two-day

workshop on Energy Management in Industrial Practice on 17-18 February.
The Chamber jointly with the Asian Centre for Democratic Governance and the
Bangladesh Enterprise Institute organises a conference on Strengthening
Democratic Governance, on 17-18 March.
The Chamber has a meeting with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones
Authority (BEPZA) at the Chamber Ofice on 7 March and discusses issues of
mutual interest, including possibilities of more investments in the EPZs of the
country.
A Chamber Delegation meets the Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Begum Khaleda

Zia, at the Prime Minister's ofice on 30 March.
The Chamber hosts a luncheon meeting in honour of Mr David Kilgour, MP,

Secretary of State for Asia Paciic, Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade, Government of Canada, on 1 April.
Under its ongoing Management Development Programme, the Chamber

organizes a 5 day training course on Strategic Planning in Marketing of Products
and Services, from 24 to 30 April.
MCCI meets members of the Economic Reporters Forum on 15 May to share the
Chambers views on the upcoming budget and other aspects of the economy of
Bangladesh.
The Chamber under its Management Development Programme organizes a
ive-day training course on Developing Team Leadership Skills for Organisational
Growth from 3 to 7 August.
The Chamber under its Energy Management programme organises a two-day

workshop on How to Economise Energy Cost, on 17-18 August.
ive-day training course on Marketability through Effective Distribution
Network, from 24 to 28 August.
The Chamber hosts a luncheon meeting on 27 August in honour of HE Rt Hon

Donald C Mckinnon, Commonwealth Secretary General, at the MCCI ofice.
The Chamber holds a discussion meeting at the MCCI ofice on 4 September with
the visiting President of the Japanese Commerce and Industry Association and
JETRO Representative.

amended by a special resolution on 12 September.
The Chamber discusses bilateral trade issues with a visiting business delegation
from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, on 19 September.
The Chamber organises a round table discussion on 1 October on (1) merits of the
tariff concessions recently given by the Government of India and (2) national
preparedness to meet contractual obligations under the General Agreement on
Trade in Services (GATS) of the WTO. Minister for Commerce attends the
discussion as Chief Guest.
ive-day training course on Business Communication Skills from 5 to 9 October.
The Chamber organizes a round-table discussion on 29 October on trade and

industrys expectations from Economic Diplomacy. The Minister for Foreign
Affairs, Mr M Morshed Khan MP, attends the round-table discussions as Chief
Guest.
ive-day training course on Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers
from 26 to 30 October.
2003

The Chamber Committee holds a meeting on 2 January with Mr Mohammad A
Vayid, CMG, Chairman & Managing Director, Strategic Management Consultants
Ltd of Mauritius, to discuss possibilities of expanding business and economic
co-operation between Mauritius and Bangladesh.

ive-day training course on Improving Employee Performance: Professional Way
of Coaching and Counselling from 18 to 23 February.
A Thai Trade Delegation headed by Mr Prachuab Chaiyasan meets members of

MCCI, DCCI and ICC-Bangladesh at the MCCI Conference Hall on 31 March.
A Chamber Delegation meets the Prime Minister, Government of Bangladesh, at
the Prime Ministers ofice on 1 April.
Dr M Yunus, Managing Director of Grameen Bank, visits the Chamber in April and
has discussions on the Banks programme for alleviation of rural poverty and for
education and health-care activities in rural areas.
A Chamber Delegation meets the President of Sri Lanka, Mrs Chandrika
Kumaratunga, during her visit to Dhaka in April.
Under its Management Development Programme, the Chamber organises a
four-day training course on Developing Effective Marketing Strategies from 27
to 30 April.
The Chamber under its Management Development Programme organises a
four-day training course on Team Building for Organisational Growth from
18-21 May.
MCCI issues a press release on 13 June, expressing its reaction to the budget for
2003-04 and points out that the provision of conversion of black money into
white money by investing in capital market is a retrograde step and this may
discourage those who have been paying taxes regularly and honestly.
The Indian Minister for External Affairs, Mr Yashwant Sinha, has a meeting with
MCCI on 15 July. Foreign Minister and Commerce Minister of Bangladesh and the
Chamber President are also present on the occasion.
A Mission of the Asian Development Bank meets members of MCCI on 20 July.
Dr Joseph E Stiglitz, Nobel Laureate and Professor of Finance and Economics,

Columbia Business School, USA, addresses the members of MCCI, Dhaka, at the
Chamber ofice on 13 August.
2004
Ambassador of USA in Bangladesh, Mr Harry K Thomas, visits MCCI on 24

September and delivers a speech.
Lord Swaraj Paul, a member of the British House of Lords, meets the members of
the Chamber on 8 October. The British High Commissioner and the Deputy High
Commissioner are also present at the meeting.
The Chamber holds a meeting at the MCCI ofice on 20 October with Mr Guy
Gagnon, Director, Asia Bureau, Industrial Cooperation Programme, Canadian
Partnership Branch and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
The Chamber Committee, along with some of its past presidents, meets Prime
Minister Begum Khaleda Zia, MP, on 12 January.
High Commissioner of India to Bangladesh, Ms Veena Sikri, visits MCCI on 15

January and 7 October.
In March, the Chamber signs Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with

Australian Business Limited and State Chamber of Commerce (New South Wales).
Dr Muhammad Yunus, the Managing Director of Grameen Bank, addresses
members of MCCI on 17 April at the Chamber Conference Hall.
The Chamber meets Mr Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, Minister for Local Government,
Rural Development and Co-operatives, in May and discusses the law and order
situation, overall governance, policy support to industry, free trade with India,
port facilities and other important issues.
The Chamber, jointly with Singapore Manufacturers Federation, Singapore
Enterprises Ltd., Bangladesh High Commission in Singapore and the Hongkong
and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, organizes an Investors Conference in
Singapore on 20 May. A large number of Singaporean entrepreneurs attend the
conference.
The Chamber holds a discussion and dinner meeting at a city hotel on 24 June
with the Singapore Prime Minister, HE Mr Goh Chok Tong.
The Chamber holds a discussion meeting on 27 June with Mr AKM Mosharraf
Hossain, MP, Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources, Government of
Bangladesh, at the MCCI ofice.
The Chamber meeting decides to celebrate its centenary in a beitting manner. A

committee under a former president is set up to chalk out a detailed program.
2005
The Chamber holds a meeting on 11 October with the visiting Organisation

Development Adviser of the Confederation of Danish industries at the MCCI
ofice.
The Chamber organizes a seminar on 9 December on the occasion of the release

of the World Banks lagship publication, Global Economic Prospects-2005. Mr Uri
Dadush, Director, Trade Department and Mr Richard Newfarmer, Lead Economist
from the World Banks Washington Ofice, Secretary, Ministry of Commerce,
Government of Bangladesh, and Country Director, World Bank, Dhaka, among
others, are present attend the seminar.
The 100th AGM of MCCI is held on 30 December at the Chambers Conference Hall.
39 members attend.
A Chamber delegation, headed by the President, visits Chittagong Port on 12

January and meets the Chairman and other senior oficials of the Chittagong Port
Authority to discuss issues pertaining to enhancing the operational eficiency of
Chittagong Port and privatization of some of the port services.
The Chamber Committee meets the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr M Morshed
Khan MP, at his ofice on the 15 January and donates books worth Taka one lac for
the library of the Bangladesh High Commission in New Delhi, India.
A Chamber Delegation, led by its President, calls on the Governor, Bangladesh

Bank, Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, on 18 April.
A delegation from the Chamber headed by its President, Mr Kutubuddin Ahmed,

along with some former Presidents, calls on the Honble Prime Minister Begum
Khaleda Zia, MP, at her ofice on 4 May. The delegation discusses key issues
concerning the economic interest of the country, including increase in Bank
interest rates; liquidity crises in the banking sector; continuation of Tax Holiday
scheme which was supposed to be terminated on 30 June, 2005; and national
minimum wages. The Prime Minister appreciates the Chambers concern on the
above issues.
An 11-member Chinese Government Economic and Trade Delegation headed by

Mr Wang Chao, the irst Vice-Governor of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous
Prefecture, Yunnan Province, China, visits the Chamber on 8 June. The delegation
discusses matters relating to trade between Bangladesh and China.
The Chamber Committee meets the Finance Minister, Mr M Saifur Rahman, MP, at
his ofice on 27 June and discusses important issues.
2006
A delegation from the Chamber meets the Governor, Bangladesh Bank, on 9 July
to discuss the possibility of US Dollar scarcity in the market distorting trade and
commerce in the country. The delegation also hands over a strategy paper
suggesting possible steps to be taken by the Central Bank to stabilize the currency
market.
The Minister for Commerce visits the Chamber on 30 August. The Chamber
informs the Minister about the impact of price hike of essential commodities and
suggests remedial measures including steps to be taken to boost the countrys
export.
A 10-member delegation visits Yunnan Province, Peoples Republic of China, from
10 to 17 December at the invitation of the Vice Governor, Dehong Prefecture,
Yunnan Province.
A Chamber delegation consisting of the President, Vice-President, two former

Presidents and the Secretary-General participates at the Partnership Summit
2006 organized jointly by the CII and the Government of West Bengal in Kolkata
from January 1820. The Summit is inaugurated by the Indian President, Dr APJ
Abdul Kalam. The Summit is attended by important and international dignitaries.
A delegation from the Chamber participates at the IMEXPRO 2006 held in
Colombo, Sri Lanka, from March 1618. MCCI signs an MoU with the Ceylon
Chamber of Commerce during the visit in order to enhance mutual cooperation
between the two bodies.
A delegation from the Chamber, led by its President, Mr Latifur Rahman, calls on
the Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia MP, at her ofice on 19 April. The
delegation discusses various issues concerning the economy of the country
including: high interest rates and the credit squeeze; increase in government
borrowing from the banking sector: threat to industrial and other sectors;
withdrawal of Tax Holiday; worsening electricity situation; impact of import
liberalization on industries; withdrawal of tax concession to whiten black money.
A Chamber Delegation accompanies the Prime Minister during her visit to India
from 22 to 24 March.
A Chinese Delegation led by Mr Si Wei, Director of Dehong Commerce Bureau, the
Peoples Republic of China, visits the Chamber ofice on 17 April.
A survey on HR Practices in Bangladesh is jointly carried out by the Chamber and

Ernst & Young, India. The inaugural session is held on 18 May in Dhaka. Mrs
Renata Lok Dessalien, the UNDP Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident
Representative in Bangladesh, graces the occasion with her presence.
2007
A German Business Mission visits and exchanges views with members of the
Chamber on 22 May. The visit is organized by the German Asia-Paciic Business
Association and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Economics & Technology,
Germany. The team expresses keen interest in investing in the textile as well as
other sectors in Bangladesh.
MCCI delegation holds meetings in March with the Confederation of Indian
Industry (CII) and discusses issues relating to the implementation of the South
Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) which would take effect from 1 July 2006.
A delegation of MCCI, headed by its President, meets the Chairman of NBR on 13

April to discuss the Chambers proposals for the 2006-2007 Budget.
The Chamber participates in the 7th International Conference on Corporate
Governance held in London on 11 and 12 May. Former President, Mr M Anis Ud
Dowla and the Secretary-General, Mr CK Hyder are among the participants.
In a press release issued on 9 June, MCCI expresses its disappointment over the
budget of 2006-07 announced by the Finance Minister Mr Saifur Rahman. MCCI is
distressed over the provision in the new budget for continuation of the tax
concession for black money.
The Chamber, along with other trade bodies and the Bangladesh Employers'
Federation, makes a representation to the Government for changing weekly
holidays from Friday and Saturday to Saturday and Sunday so as to ensure
uniformity of weekly holidays with other countries in the global market. The
issue is discussed with the Prime Minister when an MCCI delegation meets Her
Excellency but no decision is taken by the Government in this regard.
The Chamber Committee discusses several times during the year the situation
arising from political unrest and enforcement of hartals. Individually as well as
jointly with other like-minded trade bodies, several representations and
meetings are held to request the Government as well as the opposition parties to
avoid confrontational politics as the countrys trade and industry, particularly
small entrepreneurs, are being badly affected by it. Regrettably, such
representations do not yield any improvement in the overall situation.
Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed, the Honble Chief Advisor (CA), Caretaker Government,

meets a delegation of newly elected ofice bearers of MCCI, led by its President,
Mr Latifur Rahman, along with some former Presidents, at his ofice on 7
February. The delegation provides an overview of the economic situation of the
country. The delegation appreciates the positive drive and sincere efforts being
taken by the Caretaker Government to bring back normalcy and hold free and fair
elections in the country. The CA welcomes the delegation, stating that the
Caretaker Government was trying its best to discharge its responsibilities. He
seeks full support of the business community. The CA interacts freely with
members of the delegation. He thanks the Chamber for the proposals submitted
to him for the greater economic interest of the country. The MCCI delegation is in
fact the irst amongst private sector trade bodies to call on the CA.
An MCCI Delegation of eight members, headed by its President, attends the
Second SAARC Business Conclave held at Bombay, India on 17-18 February, at the
invitation of the Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A Chamber Delegation calls on the Governor, Reserve Bank of India, and

Chairman, Bombay Stock Exchange, on 19 February. The delegation is received
warmly at both institutions. The delegation exchanges views on bilateral
cooperation and discusses mutual beneits from such cooperation.
A delegation from the Chamber calls on the Advisor for Ministry of Finance and
Planning, Commerce, Post and Telecommunication, Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam, at
his Finance Ministry ofice on 22 February.
A discussion meeting on Promotion of Trade and Economic Cooperation is

organized by MCCI in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry
(CII) on the occasion of the SAARC Car Rally 2007 on 14 March in the Chamber
Conference Hall.
A 17-member Thai Board of Investment Delegation visits the Chamber on 28

March. The delegation is led by Mr Vittaya Praisuwan, the Executive Investment
Adviser, Thailand Board of Investment. The Thai Delegation shows keen interest
in Bangladeshs investment climate. It indicates that Thai investors will look
forward to utilizing business opportunities in the near future.
Advisor in Charge of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Iftekhar Ahmed

Chowdhury, meets Chamber members on 6 May and has discussions on various
issues. MCCI expresses its view-points on issues relating to implementation and
follow-up of Indias announcement at the 14 SAARC Summit that products of
SAARC LDCs would be duty-free and quota-free by the end of 2007.
The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Dr YV Reedy, meets Chamber
members at the Chamber Building on 17 May. In his detailed speech, the RBI
Governor points out how India was able to earn international conidence and
gather signiicant strength through inancial sector reforms.
2008
MCCI issues a public statement on 8 June expressing its concern about the budget
provisions for reduction of duty on imported products and their competitive
advantage vis--vis similar local products. The Chamber brings these issues up
before the Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government.
In a public statement issued on 10 September, MCCI expects that two events held
during the previous 7 days - (1) the business communitys dialogue on business
environment with the Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government and the Army
Chief and (2) the visit of Dr Craig R Barrett, Chairman of Intel Corporation, will
prove to be of signiicance to the national economy.
A non-resident Bangladeshi team from the USA, led by Mr Hansen H Clarke,
Senator of Michigan State Senate, the USA, visits MCCI on 2 January.
A delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has discussions with
MCCI in Dhaka on 10 March.
A MCCI delegation led by its President Mr Latifur Rahman meets Dr Hossain Zillur
Rahman, Advisor in charge of the Ministries of Commerce and Education, on 13
April.
A delegation from the Chamber, led by its President, calls on the Chairman of NBR,
on 28 April, to discuss MCCIs proposals for the upcoming budget 2008-09.
The Chamber holds a series of meetings with Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, Governor of

Bangladesh Bank, on 30 March, 16 April and 24 April, to discuss interest rates,
credit and other issues of Bangladesh Banks 4th Mid-Year Monetary Policy
Statement.
In a public statement issued on 10 June, MCCI expresses happiness after seeing
that education has been given the third largest share in the ADP and special
attention has been given to the development of agriculture.
The Chamber opposes the PDBs proposals for increasing electricity tariff and
Petrobanglas proposal for increasing gas tariff early this year. MCCI suggests that
both PDB and Petrobangla should be more mindful about reduction of system loss
before proposing such tariff increases.
The 104th AGM is held on 30 December at the Chamber Conference Hall and 39
members are present.

2009
A delegation from MCCI led by its President, Mr Abdul Haiz Choudhury, FCA, calls
on the Minister for Commerce, Mr Muhammad Faruq Khan, MP, at his ofice on 13
January.
An MCCI delegation led by its President calls on the Minister for Finance, Mr Abul
Maal Abdul Muhith, MP, at the latters ofice on 21 January. Major issues are
discussed with the Minister included measures to face the challenges of economic
revitalization at the time of global recession; high food prices, and the
governments plan for inlation control; the volatile situation in the capital
market; the law and order situation, and economic losses resulting from the
prevailing shortage of gas and electricity.
A delegation from the Chamber, led by its President, calls on Mr Dilip Barua, the
Minister for Industries at the latters ofice on 8 February.
The Chamber participates in a 2-day International Event (the multi-country

match-making project) entitled South Europe Meets South Asia 2009, funded by
the European Commission which is held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 27-28
February. Bangladesh has the highest number of participants of all guest
countries Spain, Greece, Italy, Slovenia and Nepal. The entrepreneurs from
Bangladesh who participate in the events are satisied and feel that this event will
be helpful in opening new business possibilities and networking.
The Chamber presents its views on the proposal to increase electricity tariffs at
the retail level, at the open session of the hearing, organized by the Bangladesh
Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), on 4 March.
MCCI has a meeting with the Chairman of NBR on 11 March to discuss the
Chambers budget proposals for the upcoming 2009-2010 iscal year.
The Chamber puts forward a set of proposals for the economic agenda of the new
government to face global economic recession and discusses various other issues
with the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, MP, at her ofice on 18 March.
The President of the Chamber presents a crest to the Prime Minister. The
Chamber takes note of the Prime Ministers views on the areas where MCCI could
be involved.
A delegation led by the Chambers President calls on the Governor of Bangladesh
Bank, Dr Atiur Rahman, at the latters ofice on 10 June. MCCI members in the
delegation raise important issues with the Governor.
A team of experts from the World Bank pays a visit to the Chamber on 14 June to
hold a pre-consultation meeting with leaders of the private sector to get the views
2010
of the business community on what the goals, objectives and strategy of the
World Banks Country Assistance Strategy (CAS) for the upcoming 2010-2013
period could be.
The Chamber organizes a roundtable discussion among members of the business

community, civil society, media, and policy makers in the Chambers Conference
Hall on 26 July. Mr Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Member of Parliament, and
Chairman of the Environment Sub-Committee of the Parliamentary Standing
Committee on Environment and Forests, is the Chief Guest. The Chamber
expresses its commitment to support any national program on environmental
issues.
A German business delegation led by Mr Peter Clasen from the OAV (German
Asia-Paciic Business Association), along with oficials of the German Embassy in
Bangladesh, visits the Chamber on 27 October. The ensuing discussions
emphasize the importance of Germany as a major trading partner and
underscores the need for German investment, particularly in power generation.
Mr James F Moriarty, the Ambassador of the United States of America in

Bangladesh, and other oficials of the US Embassy, visit the Chamber on 16
November and discuss issues of mutual interest. The Chamber urges the US
Government to allow 100 percent duty-free market access to Bangladeshi
products. The Ambassador appreciates the Chambers concerns and suggests that
the text of TIFA should be made public by the concerned authorities and an
agreement on TIFA could act as the gateway of greater cooperation between the
two countries.
The 105th AGM is held on 31 December in the Chamber Conference Hall and 52
A delegation from the Chamber, formed by the newly elected ofice bearers and
led by the President, Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, calls on the Minister for Commerce, Mr
Muhammad Faruk Khan, MP, at his Secretariat ofice on 5 January.
An MCCI delegation led by its President calls on the Minister for Agriculture,
Begum Matia Chowdhury, MP, at her ofice on 17 January, and discusses issues
relating to the development of the agricultural sector of Bangladesh.
Dr Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate and the Managing Director of Grameen

Bank, invites MCCI ofice bearers to his ofice on 15 February. The Chamber
invites him to visit MCCI and deliver a lecture on the Concept of Social Business
a Model for Creating a New Economic and Social Order.
The Chamber participates in an Investment Seminar on Bangladesh, held in

Singapore on 23 February. At the seminar, Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, the Chamber
President, presents a keynote paper titled Key Sectors and Projects for
Investment on Private-Public Partnership Basis.
A delegation of the Chamber, led by its President, calls on the Minister for Finance,
Mr Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, MP, at his ofice on 16 March. The delegation hands
over a copy of the detailed budget proposal for the 2010-2011 Fiscal Year,
previously submitted to the National Board of Revenue, and discusses it with the
Finance Minister.
A delegation from the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), led by
Mr KY Amaoko, former UN Under-Secretary-General of Economic Commission for
Africa, visits the Chamber on 27 March. The delegation discusses the common
economic challenges faced by Least Developed Countries (LDCs).
Business leaders from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) pay a courtesy
visit to the Chamber on 12 April. The Chamber President receives them in the
Chamber Conference Hall.
The Chamber organizes a seminar on US-Bangladesh Trade and Economic

Cooperation on 6 May in the Chamber Conference Hall to discuss issues related
to bilateral trade and economic cooperation between Bangladesh and USA.
Ambassador, Mr Humayun Kabir, presents the keynote paper. High oficials of the
US embassy, leaders of the business community and trade bodies, senior
government oficials, and representatives of the media and civil society attend the
seminar.
MCCI introduces Annual Awards on environmental issues and holds its irst
award giving ceremony on 2 June. The Selection Committee, after vigorous
examination and scrutiny, selects Mr Pinaki Roy of the Daily Star as the best
investigative journalist, Mr SM Babu of ATN Bangla as the best investigative
conductor of TV programmes on environmental pollution, particularly river
pollution, and Echotex Limited as the best enterprise for exemplary initiative
taken for efluent treatment.
A Post-Budget discussion session is jointly organized by the Chamber and the
Policy Research Institute in the Chamber Conference Hall on 20 June, where
views of the major business sectors are discussed by their respective

representatives on the proposed National Budget of 2010-2011. Two renowned
economists and former advisers to the Caretaker Government, Dr AB Mirza Azizul
Islam and Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud, are present at the session as Special Guests.
A seminar is jointly organized by the Chamber and the Chartered Institute of

Logistics and Transport on Trafic Congestion and its Impact on Business: Some
Remedial Measures in the Chamber Conference Hall on 21 July. Different
speakers and discussants suggest speciic steps to be taken as short and long term
measures to resolve trafic congestion in Dhaka City. The summary of the
discussions at the seminar are sent to all concerned ministries and departments.
A seminar is organized by the Chamber on 'Bangladesh-India Trade: A Closer

Look' in the Chamber Conference Hall on 5 August. Various dignitaries including
the Commerce Minister, Advisor to the Prime Minister, members of Parliament,
former diplomats, economists, business leaders, and media personnel are
present in the seminar. Mr Dipankar Chatterji, Chairman of the Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII) North East Council, India, presents his views on
Bangladesh-India Trade.
The irst E-Content and ICT for Development Award 2010 is introduced jointly
by the Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology of
Bangladesh Government, and DNet, a private sector ICT company, at a ceremony
held on 9 August, 2010. This award, in the irst year of introduction, is given to
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) for its
contribution to development of trade and commerce with a special focus on ICT
promotion. The Chamber President, Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, on behalf of the
Chamber, receives a memento from the organizers.
The Chamber organizes a discussion meeting on Climate Change: Business

Opportunities on 25 August at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel. The focus of the discussion
is on the issues of climate change and business opportunities arising from it.
Eminent environmental scientist and the Vice-Chancellor of BRAC University,
Professor Ainun Nishat, is the keynote speaker.
A delegation from the Chamber calls on the Minister for Law, Justice and
Parliamentary Affairs, Barrister Shaique Ahmed, at his ofice on 13 October. The
delegation discusses the issue of constituting a draft law on Alternate Dispute
Resolution (ADR) on VAT and Customs.
The Chamber President, Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, on behalf of the Chamber,
participates at the regional conference entitled Integrating BIMSTEC 2010 held
2011
on 12 November in Guwahati, India. The Chamber President stresses the

importance of concluding the regional BIMSTEC agreement at the earliest, in
view of the setback in the negotiation of the Doha Round of WTO.
The Chamber organizes a high level discussion on investment entitled

Bangladesh: The Next Investment Destination on 1 December. Among the
distinguished persons who attend the discussion session as speakers are: Dr
Jomo K Sundaram, Assistant Secretary-General for Economic and Social
Development in the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United
Nations, Mr Ashish Bharat Ram, Managing Director SRF Limited, India; and Mr
Ulrik Federspiel, Vice President, Haldor Topsoe, Denmark.
The Chamber decides to set up an Investment Facilitation Centre (IFC) with
assistance from an international funding agency. The primary objective of the
Centre is to provide a special role for MCCI as an organization capable of
promoting and facilitating investment in the country.
A delegation from the Chamber, constituted by its newly elected ofice bearers
and led by the President, Maj Gen Amjad Khan Chowdhury (Retd), calls on the
Minister for Industries on 12 January, Minister for Commerce on 13 January and
Minister for Foreign Affairs on 9 March. The Ministers congratulates the newly
elected ofice bearers and take note of the concerns raised by the Chamber and
thank the delegation for addressing issues crucial to the development of
Bangladesh.
An MCCI delegation, led by its President, calls on the Honorable Prime Minister,
Sheikh Hasina, MP, at her ofice on 3 February. The members of the delegation
present the Chambers submission to the Prime Minister on a number of
important issues relating to trade, commerce, investment, and employment. The
Prime Minister takes keen interest in the Chambers concerns and suggestions
and thanks the delegation for addressing these important issues.
MCCI, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the
United Nations, organizes a stakeholder consultation meeting on 6 March in the
Chamber Conference Hall. Various dignitaries, including the Minister for Food
and Disaster Management, diplomats, economists, representatives from
development partners, members from the business community, inancial
institutions, think-tanks, civil society, stakeholders from the agricultural sector,

and media personnel are present at the meeting to discuss the Country
Investment Plan (CIP).
Business leaders from the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) pay a courtesy
visit to the Chamber on 8 May.
The Chamber organizes a discussion meeting on Middle East and Japan Crises:
Possible Impact on Bangladesh Economy in the Chamber Conference Hall on 16
May. A keynote paper entitled Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and Japan
Crises: Evidence from Macroeconomic Review and Call Reports, prepared by Mr
Mamun Rashid and his team, is presented at the session.
The Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh, Mr Rajeet Mitter, pays a courtesy

visit to the Chamber on 23 May to meet its members. The issues of bilateral trade
and economic cooperation are discussed. Among other issues, the concerns of the
Business Community of Bangladesh over hurdles of obtaining a visa, and the
prevailing Non-Tariff Barriers to trade, are addressed.
MCCI organizes a High Proile Discussion Session on the theme Asia 2050 and
Bangladesh on 26 May at the Westin Hotel, Dhaka. This is in the context of a
recently published report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), entitled, Asia
2050: Realizing the Asian Century. Dr Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh
Bank is the keynote speaker and Dr Gowher Rizvi, Special Adviser (International
Affairs) to the Prime Minister, is present as the Chief Guest.
MCCI and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) jointly organize a seminar on
Prosperity and Growth through Regional Cooperation on 28 July at the
Pan-Paciic Sonargaon Hotel, Dhaka. Dignitaries, including the Minister for
Foreign Affairs, diplomats, economists, representatives from development
partners, members from the business community, inancial institutions,
think-tanks, civil society and media personnel are present at the seminar and
participate in the discussion.
The Chamber organizes a discussion session entitled Higher Education vis--vis

Skills Development: Exploration of Appropriateness in the Chamber Conference
Hall on 23 November. The Education Minister Mr Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, attends
as the Chief Guest and Professor AK Azad Chowdhury, Chairman of the University
Grants Commission, presents the keynote paper.
The Chamber organizes a discussion session with its general members on
Chamber matters at the Pan Paciic Sonargaon Hotel on 17 December where all
2012
member-irms are invited. The Minister for Industries Mr Dilip Barua is present
at the dinner as the guest of honor.
A memorial meeting to pay homage to Late Samson H Chowdhury is organized

jointly by ICC-Bangladesh, FBCCI, MCCI, DCCI and CCCI on 14 January. Mr Samson
H Chowdhury, who passed away on 5 January 2012, was a former President of
MCCI and one of the most illustrious business leaders of Bangladesh.
A 4-member team, led by Mr Badal Rag from Times of India, the 3rd largest
circulating newspaper in India, visits the Chamber on 24 January. The delegation
discusses the importance of strengthening Bangladesh-India relationship and
steps needed for further development.
A delegation from the Chamber, led by one of the Chambers Former Presidents,
Mr M Anis Ud Dowla, visits Vietnam from April 6 to 9.
An MCCI delegation led by the Chamber President, Maj Gen Amjad Khan
Chowdhury (Retd), along with a few other members of the Committee, and
general members and the Secretary-General of the MCCI, Mr Farooq Ahmed, visit
Myanmar from 7 to 10 May.
A luncheon is hosted on 23 May in honour of Former President, Mr Latifur

Rahman, for receiving the Oslo Business Award for Peace 2012. 9 out of 13 former
Presidents attend the ceremony.
MCCI jointly organizes a pre-budget discussion with Maasranga Television on 15
May at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel, Dhaka, which is telecast live. The
Chamber Vice-President, Barrister Ms Nihad Kabir, moderates the session, which
is participated by eminent economists, journalists, business leaders, politicians,
bureaucrats, and ordinary people from all walks of life. Stimulating discussions
are held on major issues, including the macroeconomy, revenue collection,
taxation and annual development.
MCCI organizes a post-budget conference on the Budget 2012-2013 with the
media in the Chamber Conference Hall on 13 June, jointly with the Policy
Research Institute (PRI). Among important recommendations made during the
budget discussions are: Limit Bank Borrowing; Modernise Revenue
2013
Administration; Remove the new tax on Life Insurance Policy; Reduce of AIT on
Exports at Source; Capacity Building for Effective and Transparent ADP
Implementation; Concession for Undisclosed Income; Increase in the Agriculture
Subsidy; and Restraining the Rising Trend in Para-Tariffs.
MCCI and Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) jointly organize a discussion session
on Bangladesh Trade Policy Framework for the Next Decade, on 3 July at
Lakeshore Hotel, Dhaka.
The Institute of Developing Economies, a specialized research wing of Japan

External Trade Organization (IDE-JETRO), Japan requests the Chamber to
conduct a joint research study entitled Current State of Industrial Sub-sectors in
Bangladesh. MCCI Secretariat and a team of consultants will conduct an
enterprise level survey on nine industrial sectors during a 2-year period, starting
July.
MCCI wins a contract on 18 July from German International Development

Cooperation (GIZ) through competitive bidding to conduct a study on Analysis of
the Prevailing Non-Tariff Measures in SAARC Region.
The Industries Ministers and representatives of D-8 member countries, namely
Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey, attend
a 3 day-long event from October 8 to 10. The Chamber hosts a dinner on 10
October in honour of the D-8 delegation members at Hotel Ruposhi Bangla. Over
400 guests, including 6 ministers from Bangladesh and 5 ministers from D-8
member countries, attend the dinner.
The Chamber organizes a discussion session on Trade Potentials in Russian
Federation, Belarus, Ukraine, and Beyond at the Dhaka Westin Hotel on 13
November. This is a follow-up event to the visit of the Honble Prime Minister of
Belarus to Bangladesh on November 11-13.
An MCCI team led by the Chamber President Ms Rokia Afzal Rahman meets the
Governor, Bangladesh Bank, Dr Atiur Rahman, during the public consultation held
on 18 January on formulating the next Monetary Policy Statement for
January-June 2013 period.
MCCIs Vice-President, Barrister Ms Nihad Kabir, makes a presentation on behalf

of the Chamber to the Czech business delegation highlighting Bangladesh as a
potential destination for Czech investment when a Czech business delegation led
by their Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr Martin Kuba, visits the Chamber and
holds meetings and participates in a business seminar on 11 March.
A seminar entitled EU-India FTA: Possible Impact on Bangladeshs Export is

jointly organized by the MCCI and Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) in
the Chamber Building on 20 March. Participants appreciate the initiative and
consider it worthwhile to alert the business community on the possible impact.
The Chamber, in collaboration with Maasranga Television, jointly organizes a live
TV programme on Budget 2013-2014: Our Expectations at the Pan Paciic
Sonargaon Hotel on 11 May. The programme is moderated by Barrister Ms Nihad
Kabir, former Vice-President of the Chamber. Minister for Finance, Mr Abul Maal
Abdul Muhith, MP, is present as the Chief Guest.
At the request of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chamber organizes a B2B
meeting with private sector representatives of the USA under Bangladesh-USA
Partnership Dialogue (Foreign Secretary Level) which is held at the Chamber
Building on 27 May. The US team consists mainly of US citizens of Bangladesh,
origin. The US Ambassador in Bangladesh, Mr Dan W Mozena, speaks on the
occasion.
The Chamber organizes a dialogue jointly with Policy Research Institute (PRI) on
Emerging from Rana Plaza Tragedy: A 10 Point Reform Roadmap for a
Sustainable Bangladesh RMG Sector at Dhaka on 30 May.
At the request of the Ministry of Womens and Children Affairs, MCCI organizes a
panel discussion on Development of Women Entrepreneurship which is
followed by dinner at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel on 18 June, in honour of the visiting
ministers and delegates of the 10th Commonwealth Womens Affairs Ministers
Meeting (10WAMM) held in Dhaka. The Chamber President, Ms Rokia A Rahman,

presents the keynote paper and the discussion is moderated by Mrs Luna
Shamsuddoha.
A discussion session on Views of the Business Community on Budget 2013-2014

is jointly organized by the MCCI and Policy Research Institute (PRI) in the
Chamber Building on 23 June.
The Country Representative in Bangladesh for Japan External Trade Organization
(JETRO), Mr Kei Kawano, along with his colleagues, pay a courtesy visit to the
Chamber on 8 July. MCCI conveys its desire to work with JETRO and indicates its
keenness to establish a long term working relationship between the two

organizations.
The 109th AGM is held on 21 December at the Lakeshore Hotel.
2014 (till April 30)
A Chamber delegation, led by its President Ms Rokia Afzal Rahman, meets the
Finance Minister Mr AMA Muhith on 22 January and Industries Minister Mr Amir
Hossain Amu on 23 January.
A Chamber delegation, led by its President, meets the Commerce Minister Mr
Tofael Ahmed on 23 January.
The Chamber, jointly with the Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
distributes blankets among the poor and vulnerable people of Rangpur in the last
week of January.
The Chamber hosts a dinner in honour of Mr Dipak C Jain, INSEAD Chair

Professor of Marketing, and member of the Board of Directors of the Asian
University of Women, in Dhaka on 6 February.
An exchange of views on Introduction of Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) in
Bangladesh, organized by MCCI, in collaboration with the National Board of
Revenue (NBR), is held in Dhaka on 19 February.
A delegation of the Chamber meets Dr Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh

Bank, on 20 February and discusses important economic issues.
The Chamber holds a luncheon meeting at the Chamber on 24 February where Mr

Pankaj Saran, the High Commissioner of India, is the Chief Guest.
The Chamber arranges a joint meeting of the business community with the
Minister for Finance, Mr AMA Muhith MP, Minister for Commerce, Mr Tofael
Ahmed MP and Minister for Industries, Mr Amir Hossain Amu MP, in the Chamber
Ofice on 30 March.
An MCCI delegation led by its President Ms Rokia Afzal Rahman visits New Delhi
on 13-14 April and formally hands over the Chambers letter of invitation to Dr
APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, to be the keynote speaker during the
Chambers 110th anniversary celebration scheduled to be held on 18 October.
A Chamber delegation calls on the President and Director General of

Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on 14 April in New Delhi and invites them
to participate in the Chambers 110th anniversary celebration.
A delegation from MCCI meets the Chairman of NBR at his ofice on 20 April and
discusses the Chambers proposals for the Government Budget 2014-15.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Sources
Chamber Records:
1.
Memorandum and Articles of Association, MCCI, Dhaka, 2013
2.
Minutes of NCC, 1949-50
4.
Minutes of DNCCI, 1953, 1955
3.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Minutes of DNCC, 1951-52
Minutes of NCCI, 1962, 1970-72, 1974, 1976-77

Annual Reports, DNCCI, 1954-58
Annual Reports, NCCI, 1959-69, 1973, 1975, 1978

Annual Reports, MCCI, Dhaka, 1979-99, 2000-13
Chamber News, MCCI, Dhaka, 1979-99, 2000-14
10. Minutes of the Pakistan Jute Mills Association, 1962-71
11. Minutes of the Bangladesh Jute Mills Association, 1971-73

12. Website of MCCI, Dhaka
Archival Records:
Letters of Correspondences (1914-1947) between the Govt. of Bengal (GOB) and the
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce (NCC) found in Bangladesh National Archives (BNA)
1.
2.
3.
4.
A Proceedings, Govt. of Bengal (henceforth to be read as GOB), Commerce Dept., A

Bill to Amend the Indian Companies Act, 1913, Bangladesh National Archives
(henceforth to be read as BNA), February 1914, File No. 4-A/7, No. 40.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Scheme for the Registration of Property in
British India belonging to Enemies, BNA, August 1916, File No. 12-C/1, Nos. 6-7.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Introduction of a System of Hall-marking of

Gold and Silver Plate in India, BNA, November 1916, File No. 6-T/135, Nos. 12-13.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Amendment of Section 37 (2) of
the Indian Factories Act, 1911, BNA, March 1916, File No. 1-A/1, No. 20.
5.
6.
7.
8.
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A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Trading License (Persia) 1915, BNA, March
1916, File No. 2-L/7, Nos. 2, 4.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposal to Suppress the Adulteration of
Indian Produce before Export, BNA, March 1918, File No. 10-A/1, No. 14.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., United Kingdom Registration of Business

Names Act, 1916, BNA, October 1919, File No. 1-A/1 (10).
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Hours of Factory and Mine Labour in India,
BNA, November 1919, File No. 8-L/7, Nos. 11-12.
A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Registration of Claims for War Losses

against Enemy Governments, BNA, December 1919, File No. 1-W/15, No. 12.
10. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Legislation for the Registration of
Business Names and Partnerships in India, BNA, March 1920, File No. 1-A/1, No.
70.
11. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Collection of Commercial and Industrial
Intelligence in Connection with the Recommendations of the Indian Industrial
Commission, BNA, April 1920, File No. 2-1/3, Nos. 9-10.
12. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Amendment of Section 91B of the
Indian Companies Act, 1913, BNA, August 1920, File No. 1-A/2, No. 68.
13. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Imposition of an ad valorem Duty

of Percent on the Nominal Capital of Companies Registered under the Indian
Companies Act, BNA, August 1920, File No. 1-J/3, No. 54.
14. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Homeward Passenger Trafic in the Spring
of 1921, BNA, August 1920, File No. 12-P/5, No. 35.
15. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Nomination of Representatives and

Delegates of Employers for International Labour Conferences and Commissions
of Enquiry under Articles 389 and 412 of the Peace Treaty, BNA, April 1921, File
No. 8-L/9, No. 76.
16. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., International Labour Conference held at
Washington in October, 1919, BNA, April 1921, File No. 8-L/8, No. 7.
17. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., New Contract for the Conveyance of Indian
Mails to and from the United Kingdom, BNA, January 1922, File No. 7-M/1, No. 8.
18. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Imposition of a Cess on Cotton,

BNA, May 1922, File No. 4-C/1, No. 6.
19. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Tariff Policy of the Government of India
Trade after the War, Free Trade System, Protection, Imperial Preference, etc., BNA,
May 1922, File No. 8-F/1, No. 24.
20. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Legislation for the Investigation
and Settlement of Trade Disputes, BNA, January 1925, File No. 1-A/13 (26), No.
208.
21. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Cotton Ginning and Cotton Pressing
Factories Bill, BNA, January 1925, File No. 1-A/18 (6), No. 40.
22. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Periods of Wage Payment Bill, BNA, June
1925, File No. 1-A/22 (7), No. 9.
23. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Revision of the Indian Petroleum Act, 1899
(VIII of 1899), BNA, November 1925, File No. 1-A/6 (8), No. 12.
24. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., The Indian Trade Unions Bill 1924, BNA,
November 1925, File No. 1-A/14 (27), No. 155.
25. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Consolidation of the Law Relating
to Negotiable Instruments Act on the Lines of the English Bills of Exchange Act,
1882, BNA, February 1925, File No. 1-A/11 (21), No. 29.
26. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Indian Religious Pictures Trade Marks
(Prevention) Bill, 1930, BNA, June 1930, File No. 1-A/8 (14), No. 24.
27. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., The Draft Indian Partnership Bill, BNA,
November 1930, File No. 1-A/5 (5), No. 19.
28. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Amendment of Rule 3 of Part II and

Condition 7 of Form B of the Carbide of Calcium Rules (Manufacture of Acetylene
Gas), BNA, December 1930, File No. 1-R/8 (6), No. 12.
29. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Recommendation Concerning the

Prevention of Industrial Accidents Adopted by the Twelfth International Labour
Conference, 1929, BNA, January 1931, File No. 1-L/9 (6), No. 8.
30. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., The Indian Partnership Bill, 1931, BNA,
August 1931, File No. 1-A/5 (4), No. 42.
31. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Proposed Legislation for Prompt Settlement
of Claims with Adequate Protection to Insurance Ofice, BNA, November 1932,
File No. 1-I/4 (6), No. 13.
32. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., The Indian Petroleum Bill, BNA, November
1933, File No. 1-A/3 (7), No. 7.
33. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Sickness Insurance, BNA, December 1935,
File No. 1-I/5 (5), No. 130.
34. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Bengal Factories Rules, 1935, BNA,
December 1935, File No. 1-R/1 (44), No. 44.
35. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Holidays with Pay, BNA, April 1935, File No.
2-H/3 (5), No. 9.
36. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce Dept., Indian Electricity Rules, 1922, BNA, April
1935, File No. 1-R/44 (4), No. 151.
37. A Proceedings, GOB, Commerce and Labour Dept., Proposed Extension of the
Provisions of the Factories Act to Smaller Factories Using Power Machinery, BNA,
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Rules, 1939, BNA, April 1940, File No. 1-R/31 (20), No. 20.
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Cotton Pressed According to Trade Descriptions, BNA, November 1940, File No.
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Establishments Bill, 1939, BNA, August 1941, File No. 1-A/5 (193), No. 14.
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Syed Manzur Elahi, President of MCCI, Dhaka (1990, 1991)
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Latifur Rahman, President of MCCI, Dhaka (1993, 1994, 2000, 2001, 2006-08)
CK Hyder, Advisor of MCCI, Dhaka (2009-2011); Secretary General of MCCI, Dhaka

(1991-2008); Secretary of NCCI (1979-90); Secretary of NCCI (1972-78); Joint
Secretary of NCCI (1971); Deputy Secretary of NCCI (1968-70); Assistant
Secretary of NCCI (196567)
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Ahmed, Nais, An Economic Geography of East Pakistan, New York: Oxford

University Press, 1968.
Ahmed, Sharif Uddin (ed), Dhaka Past Present Future, Dhaka: The Asiatic Society
of Bangladesh, 1991; Dhaka Kosha, Dhaka: The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh,
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Ahmed, Sharif Uddin, Dhaka: A Study in Urban History and Development
(1840-1921), Dhaka: Academic Press and Publisher, 2003
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Singapore: the ZDH Partnership Project, 1998.
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Origin, Development and Role in the Economy, Commercial History of Dhaka,
edited by Delwar Hassan, Dhaka: Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
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Geoffrey W Tyson, The Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (1853-1953), A
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Beyond: Economy and Culture, Vol-2, Dhaka: The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh,
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Dhaka: The Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 2007.
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Chamber of Commerce, 1944.
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Provincial Finance in Bengal, Calcutta: Bengal Finance Dept., 1940.
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Rajshahi University, 1981
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Calcutta, 1926.
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Ray, 1319 BS.
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Poona: Shubhada Saraswat, 1977.
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Perspectives, Dhaka: The University of Dhaka, 1981
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Commercial History of Dhaka, edited by Delwar Hassan, Dhaka: Dhaka Chamber of
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Appendix -1
Appendix - 2
[Sir William H Vincent, Secretary to the Govt. of India, Legislative Dept. wrote letters on A Bill to
Amend the Indian Companies Act, 1913 to the Secretaries/ Chief Secretaries/ Assistant Secretaries
to the Provincial Govt. and Chief Commissioners of the Provinces. After receiving this letter the
Under Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal forwarded a copy of the Bill to the Head/ Secretary of the
relevant Departments, Trade Bodies, Associations, Chamber of Commerce and Industries. Here is a
letter written by the Honorary Secretary of the NCC in replying to the Chambers opinion to the
Under-Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal reproduced from the original documents.]
Government of Bengal, Financial Department
Commerce, No 40, File 4A/7
Dated: Narayanganj, the 26 August 1913.
From- The Honorary Secretary, Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce,

To- The Under-Secretary, to the Govt. of Bengal, General Dept.
I BEG to acknowledge your letter No. 789 T. G., dated the 5 June 1913, and subsequent reminders.
I beg to apologize for the delay in answering this, and I am directed by the Committee to inform
you that, as the irms in Narayanganj are practically all connected directly or indirectly with Calcutta
Houses, the Narayanganj Chamber would not wish to express any separate opinion of its own on the
question of amending the Indian Companys Act 1913, but would prefer to follow the opinion
expressed by the Bengal Chamber of Commerce.
Appendix - 3
[Govt. of India, Dept. of Commerce and Industry, No 9196, dated the 8 August 1917, and enclose,
requesting that the opinion of this Govt. may be submitted with the views of the local Chambers of
Commerce on the Proposal to Suppress the Adulteration of Indian Produce Before Export and
measures suitable to remedy it. Mr AL Godden, the Honorary Secretary of the NCC replied with the
Chambers view to the Deputy Secretary to the Govt. of India, Dept. of Commerce and Industry on 7
September, 1917. On 17 October 1917, Mr Godden forwarded a copy of this letter to the
Under-Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal, Commerce Dept. Here is two letters written by AL Godden,
the Honorary Secretary of the NCC, in replying with Chambers opinion to the Deputy Secretary of
the Govt. of India and a forwarding letter to the Under-Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal reproduced
from the original documents.]
No 14
File 10-A 1(5)
Dated: Narayanganj, the 17 October 1917
From- AL Godden, Honorary Secretary, Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce,
To- The Under-Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Commerce Department.

With reference to your letter No. 5423 Com., dated Calcutta, the 13 October 1917, I have the honour
to send you herewith copy of my letter, dated the 7 September 1917.
_______________________
Dated: Narayanganj, the 7 September 1917
From- AL Godden, Esq., Honorary Secretary, Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce,
To- The Deputy Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Commerce of Industry.
Referring to your letter No. 9196 Department of Commerce and Industry, to the Chief Secretary to
the Government of Bengal, dated Simla, the 8 August 1917, a copy of which was sent to me by the
Under-Secretary to the Government of Bengal, Calcutta, I have the honour to state that, as regards
the adulteration of jute, this only occurs previous to its sale by the raiyat to the buyer when the jute
is often watered. Government has already stated it is impossible to legislate against this. There is no
adulteration of export jute.
___________________________
Appendix - 4
[Govt. of India, Dept. of Industries and Labour, No 1192, dated the 9 October 1924, forwarding for
this Govt.s opinion copy of a Bill titled Periods of Wage Payment Bill introduced in the Legislative
Assembly to make provision for the payment of wages on a weekly basis. After receiving this letter
from the Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal (No 2157 T.Com., dated 22 October), Mr RN Story, the
Honorary Secretary of the NCC wrote back a letter with the Chambers opinion/view to the Secretary
to the Govt. of Bengal, Dept. of Commerce on 25 November, 1924. Here is the letter written by Mr
Story, the Honorary Secretary of the NCC, to the Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal reproduced from the
original documents.]
No. 9
File No. 1A 22 (8)
Dated: Narayanganj, the 25 November 1924
From- RN STORY Esq., Honorary Secretary, Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce,

To- The Secretary, to the Government of Bengal, Commerce Department.
Periods of Wage Payment.
I have the honour to acknowledge receipt to your letter No. 2157 T. Com., dated 22 October 1924.
In reply, I am directed to state that this Chamber strongly object to the application of piecemeal
legislation to labour in their employ.
Whatever may be the case in mills in Bombay, worker in jute factories and other concerns in
this area are not required to subsist on credit for any time, as a system of advances against wages is
in general use.
In fact it is frequently the employer who has to wait several months for a return against the
money so advanced.
A less serious objection is the extra clerical work and consequent expense of setteling
accounts 52 times in a year instead of 12 times as at present under a monthly basis; but in the case
of Inland Navigation Companies, whose labour is constantly on the move, the dificulty of arranging
payment at regular intervals would be practically unsurmountable.
The Chamber also consider that the effect on labour would be to encourage the unsatisfactory
type of worker who changes his employment continually throughout the season. The ideal of such
continuity of employment as to maintain eficiency of work is suficiently dificult to achieve without
shortening the contract basis of time, and it is doubtful whether such a measure would be welcome
to the worker themselves.
Appendix - 5
Govt. of India, Dept. of Industries and Labour, No L-925, dated the 30 August 1924, forwarding Trade
Union Bill and requesting the views of this Government. After receiving this letter from the Secretary
to the Govt. of Bengal, Commerce Dept. (Letter No 1073 T. Com., dated 8 September), the Honorary
Secretary of the NCC wrote back a letter with the Chambers opinion/view to the Secretary to the
Govt. of Bengal, Dept. of Commerce on 12 November, 1924. Here is the letter written by the Honorary
Secretary of the NCC to the Secretary to the Govt. of Bengal reproduced from the original documents.
No 155
File No 1-A 14 (27)
Dated: Narayanganj, the 12 November 1924.
From- Honorary Secretary, Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce,
To- The Secretary, to the Government of Bengal, Commerce Department.

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt to your letter No. 1073 T. Com., dated 8 September 1924.
In reply, I am directed to state the members of this Chamber are of the opinion that as far as the
jute trade, which they represent, is concerned, the need for trade union legislation has not yet arisen.
There is as yet no indication of any desire by labour here to form a union; it is true that in the mill
areas during strikes there have been persons who claimed to represent the workers, but these have
been proved to merely political agitators with no genuine connection with the workers, and without
any true regard for their welfare.
This Chamber therefore consider that the introduction of such a bill would merely encourage
the formation of organizations which neither the workers nor employers need or desire at present.
Appendix - 7
LIST OF CHAMBER COMMITTEES (1949-2014)

1949
President: DP Fafalios, AC Baxter; Vice President: SL Gold; Members: CEC Guthire, IGH Ariff, AB
Baikie, AD Boldy, PN Flangini, ARY Smith, MM Ispahani; Secretary: Jack Garcia
1950
President: AC Baxter, AD Boldy; Vice President: SL Gold, CEC Guthire; Members: IGH Ariff, AB
Baikie, MM Ispahani, JM Addison Scott, PN Flangini, ARY Smith, W Leslie; Secretary: Jack Garcia
1951
President: CEC Guthire, DP Fafalios; Vice President: MM Ispahani; Members: AB Baikie, DP
Fafalios, A Jalil, AA Kahlon, VAD Howard, OW Lugg, AR Faridi, JW Young, TF Stainthorpe, W Leslie,
ARY Smith, JM Addison Scott, IGH Ariff, AB Fairfoul; Secretary: Jack Garcia
1952
President: AR Faridi, RWN Ferguson; Vice President: TL Swales, A Jalil; Members: MM Ispahani,
AB Baikie, DP Fafalios, AD Boldy, AA Kahlon, TF Stainthrope, JW Young, RWN Ferguson, KM
Nasimullah, M Vlasto, NG Smith; Secretary: Jack Garcia
1953
President: RWN Ferguson, A Jalil (Acting President); Vice President: A Jalil; Members: AB Baikie,
MM Ispahani, AD Boldy, AA Kahlon, TL Swales, RBF Garrard, M Heald, RWN Ferguson, AR Faridi, AB
Fairfoul, RT Neimeyer; Secretary: Jack Garcia
1954
President: A Jalil; Vice President: WR Longwill; Members: AB Baikie, AD Boldy, DL Penny, TAT
Whitby, MM Ispahani, AA Kahlon, TL Swales, DP Fafalios; Secretary: Jack Garcia; Deputy Secretary:
K Mohyuddin
1955
President: A Jalil, MM Ispahani; Vice President: WR Longwill; Members: TL Swales, AB Baikie, A
Dada, DL Penny, TAT Whitby, M Heald, DCW Watkin, MM Ispahani, WR Longwill, GC Maclean, H
Wintle, AA Kahlon; Secretary: Jack Garcia; Deputy Secretary: K Mohyuddin
1956
President: MM Ispahani; Vice President: H Wintle; Members: Mohamed Hanif Adamjee, JM Dizer,
Ahmed Dada, M Heald, M Ilahi, AA Kahlon, TL Swales; Secretary: Jack Garcia; Deputy Secretary: K
Mohyuddin; Assistant Secretary: M Ebraheem

1957
President: AA Kahlon; Vice President: WR Longwill; Members: MM Ispahani, H Wintle, DL Penny,
Ahmed Dada, M Naser-ud-Deen Khan, M Heald, TL Swales; Secretary: Jack Garcia; Acting
Secretary: K Mohyuddin; Deputy Secretary: KS Shahabuddin; Assistant Secretary: M Ebraheem
1958
President: WR Longwill; Vice President: M Naser-ud-Deen Khan; Members: M Heald, MM
Ispahani, AA Kahlon, RH Martin, DL Penny, TL Swales, JR Williamson; Joint Secretaries: KS
Shahabuddin, MZ Ahmed; Deputy Secretary: KS Shahabuddin; Assistant Secretaries: M

Ebraheem, AW Chalmers
1959
President: M Naser-ud-Deen Khan; Vice President: JR Williamson; Members: A Ahad, MH

Adamjee, M Heald, MM Ispahani, AA Kahlon, WR Longwill, TL Swales; Joint Secretaries: KS
Shahabuddin, MZ Ahmed; Assistant Secretaries: AW Chalmers, MH Kashani
1960
President: MM Ispahani; Vice President: WR Longwill; Members: MH Adamjee, A Ahad, AR Cavers,

M Heald, AA Kahlon, M Afzal Khan, GR Mothersill; Secretary: MZ Ahmed; Assistant Secretary: AW
Chalmers
1961
President: AA Kahlon; Vice President: WR Longwill; Members: A Ahad, AR Cavers, M Heald, MM
Ispahani, A Jalil, M Afzal Khan, DL Penny; Secretary: MZ Ahmed; Assistant Secretary: AW Chalmers
1962
President: A Ahad; Vice President: GR Mothersill; Members: WR Longwill, MH Adamjee, MM
Ispahani, A Jalil, M Afzal Khan, M Heald, WHS Ravenscroft, AFR Stephen; Secretary: MZ Ahmed
1963
President: AH Adamjee; Vice President: WHS Ravenscroft; Members: M Ilahi, AA Kahlon, M Afzal
Khan, OW Lugg, GR Mothersill, R Rahman, AFR Stephen; Secretary: MZ Ahmed; Assistant
Secretary: JR Khan
1964
President: Maqbul Ilahi; Vice President: OW Lugg; Members: R Amin Ahmed, Rashid Ahmed, M
Yawer Ali, Munsurul Ameen, Mohsin Asgar, YA Bawany, M Heald, KM Nasimullah; Secretary: MZ
Ahmed; Assistant Secretary: JR Khan
1965
President: YA Bawany; Vice President: WR Longwill; Members: A Ahad, R Amin Ahmed, Rashid
Ahmed, M Yawer Ali, Mansurul Amin, Mohsin Asgar, M Heald, AA Kahlon, Y Amanullah Khan;
Secretary: MZ Ahmed; Assistant Secretary: CK Hyder
1966
President: Anwar a Kahlon; Vice President: M Heald; Members: AG Adamjee, A Ahad, R Amin
Ahmed, Mansurul Amin, Mohsin Asgar, SM Doja, Aziz A Khan, Y Amanullah Khan, WR Longwill;
1967
President: Maqbul Ilahi; Vice President: WR Longwill; Members: AG Adamjee, A Ahad, R Ameen,
SM Doja, FA Dossani, R Grant, Anwar A Kahlon, Aziz A Khan, Y Amanullah Khan, KS Shahabuddin;
1968
President: Maqbul Ilahi; Vice President: SM Doja; Members: AG Adamjee, Rashid Ahmed, M
Ahsanullah, M Yawer Ali, R Ameen, YA Bawany, FA Dossani, JHA Gibson, A Qayyum, Aziz A Khan, KS
Shahabuddin; Secretary: MZ Ahmed; Deputy Secretary: CK Hyder
1969
President: Rashid Ahmed; Vice President: KS Shahabuddin; Members: R Amin Ahmed, Erfan
Ahmed, M Ahsanullah, M Yawer Ali, Raiqul Ameen, YA Bawany, FA Dossani, JHA Gibson, M Ilahi, CM
Murshed, A Qayyum; Secretary: MZ Ahmed; Deputy Secretary: CK Hyder
1970
President: Rashid Ahmed; Vice President: KS Shahabuddin, R Amin Ahmed; Members: Erfan
Ahmad, M Ahsanullah, M Yawer Ali, Raiqul Ameen, YA Bawany, Masurul Ameen, A Latif, WR
Longwill, Mohammad Bhai, CM Murshed, Y Amanullah Khan, Nawab Khaja Hasan Askari, A Qayyum;
Secretary: MZ Ahmed; Deputy Secretary: CK Hyder
1971
President: A Qayyum; Vice President: WR Longwill; Members: Nawab Khaja Hasan Askari,
Mohammad Bhai, SM Doja, R Grant, Anwar A Kahlon, Amanullah Khan, CM Murshed, Md. Saifur
Rahman, Mansurul Ameen, A Latif, R Amin Ahmad, Sabethur Rahman; Secretary: MZ Ahmad; Joint
Secretary: CK Hyder
1972
President: A Qayyum, Kamruddin Ahmad; Vice President: Md. Saifur Rahman; Members: Nawab
Khaja Hasan Askari, SM Doja, R Grant, Sabethur Rahman, Amanullah Khan, CM Murshed, Raiqul
Ameen, M Anis ud Dawla, Qazi Fazlur Rahman, K Atkinson, Mansurul Ameen, Zeaul Huq, Ahmad
Yusuff, HHV Spreadbury; Secretary: CK Hyder
1973
President: Kamruddin Ahmad; Vice President: Md Saifur Rahman; Members: Raiqul Ameen, M
Anisuddowla, Nawab Khwaja Hasan Askari, K Atkison, FK Ghuznavi, Zeaul Huq, Ghulam Husein,
Ashfaque Hussain Khan, Sabethur Rahman, EC Rebeiro, HHV Spreadbury; Secretary: CK Hyder
1974
President: Kamruddin Ahmad; Vice President: FK Ghuznavi; Members: M Anis ud Dowla, K
Atkison (BR McEntegart), Ghulam Husein, Sabethur Rahman, EC Rebeiro, Raiqul Ameen (MA
Sattar), Rashid Ahmed, Ashfaque Hussain Khan, M Mashiur Rahman, CM Murshed; Secretary: CK
Hyder
1975
President: FK Ghuznavi; Vice President: BR McEntegart; Members: Rashid Ahmed, K Kamrul
Hoda, Zeaul Huq, Ghulam Husein, Ashfaque Hussain Khan, Manzur Morshed Khan, RGI Leonard, CM
Murshed, M Masihur Rahman, EC Rebeiro, MA Sattar; Secretary: CK Hyder
1976
President: Rashid Ahmed; Vice President: BR McEntegart; Members: RGI Leonard (JG Perkins), JA
Noe, Rezaur Rahman, EC Rebeiro, K Kamrul Hoda, Zeaul Huq, Manzur Morshed Khan, MA Sattar, M
Mashiur Rahman, Tofael Ahmad; Secretary: CK Hyder
1977
President: M Anis ud Dowla; Vice President: M Morshed Khan; Members: Badruddin Ahmad, K
Kamrul Hoda, Zeaul Huq, SH Kabir, BR McEntegart, JA Noe, Rezaur Rahman, Sabethur Rahman, EC
Rebeiro, MA Sattar, Tofael Ahmad, KA Rashid; Secretary: CK Hyder
1978
President: M Anisuddowla; Vice President: SH Kabir; Members: Badruddin Ahmed, M Tofael
Ahmed, Syed Mohsen Ali, FK Ghuznavi, JA Noe, ASF Rahman, Sabethur Rahman, KA Rashid, EC
Rebeiro, Mushfeq-us-Saleheen; Secretary: CK Hyder
1979
President: SH Kabir; Vice President: M Mushfeq-us-Saleheen; Members: Badruddin Ahmed, Syed
Fazle Ali, M Anisuddowla, Ghulam Husein, Sabethur Rahman, M Shamsul Alam, Syed Mohsen Ali, FK
Ghuznavi, ASF Rahman, KA Rashid, MR Siddiqi; Secretary: CK Hyder
1980
President: M Mushfeq-us-Saleheen; Vice President: M Morshed Khan; Members: Rashid Ahmed,
Syed Fazle Ali, SA Azim, RW Keast, ASF Rahman, M Shamsul Alam, Syed Mohsen Ali, FK Ghuznavi,
Ghulam Husein Padamsee, KA Rashid, MR Siddiqi; Secretary: CK Hyder
1981
President: M Morshed Khan; Vice President: Rashid Ahmed; Members: M Shamsul Alam, SA Azim,
Zeaul Huq, Haizul Islam, Ghulam Husein Padamsee, Anwarul Amin, AKM Mosharaf Hossain, KA
Huque, RW keast, MR Siddiqi, AM Agha Yusuf; Secretary: CK Hyder
1982
President: M Morshed Khan; Vice President: Rashid Ahmed; Members: Iftekharul Alam, M
Anisuddowla, AKM Mosharaf Hossain, KA Huque, Aminul Islam Khan, Anwarul Amin, SA Azim, Zeaul
Huq, RW Keast, Ghulam Husein Padamsee, AM Agha Yususf; Secretary: CK Hyder
1983
President: Zeaul Huq; Vice President: SH Kabir; Members: Iftekharul Alam, Anwarul Amin, FK
Ghuznavi, AKM Mosharaf Hossain, Sabethur Rahman, Syed Mohsen Ali, Syed Manzur Elahi, Rashid-ul
Hasan, KA Huque, AM Agha Yususf; Secretary: CK Hyder
1984
President: SH Kabir; Vice President: Syed Mohsen Ali; Members: Iftekharul Alam, Alan J Cooper,
FK Ghuznavi, Admiral MH Khan, Sabethur Rahman, Samson H Chowdhury, Syed Manzur Elahi,
Rashid-ul Hasan, MR Siddiqi; Secretary: CK Hyder
1985
President: MR Siddiqi; Vice President: Syed Manzur Elahi; Members: Syed Mohsin Ali, Alan J
Cooper, Ashraful Haque, SH Kabir, Ghulam Husein A Padamsee, Samson H Chowdhury, FK Ghuznavi,
Rashid-ul Hasan, Rear Admiral MH Khan, Md Nefaur Rahman, Sabethur Rahman; Secretary: CK
Hyder
1986
President: MR Siddiqi; Vice President: Habibullah Khan; Members: Samson H Chowdhury, AKM
Ghaffar, Kazi Kamrul Hoda, Zeaul Haq, Admiral MH Khan, Alan J Cooper, GG Hardwicke, AKM
Mosharaf Hossain, AHM Kamaluddin; Harunar Rashid Khan, Ghulam Husein A Padamsee;
Secretary: CK Hyder
1987
President: Habibullah Khan; Vice President: HR Khan; Members: AKM Ghaffar, KK Hoda, Zeaul
Huq, A Hasnat Khan, Salman F Rahman, GG Hardwicke, AKM Mosharaf Hossain, AHM Kamaluddin,
Ghulam Husein A Padamsee, Latifur Rahman, Ramzul Seraj; Secretary: CK Hyder
1988
President: Habibullah Khan; Vice President: HR Khan; Members: SA Azim, K Kamrul Hoda, AHM
Kamaluddin, Salman F Rahman, Ramzul Seraj, AKM Ghaffar, Zeaul Huq, A Hasnat Khan, Latifur
Rahman, AG Stuart, Mohd. Toha; Secretary: CK Hyder
1989
President: Salman F Rahman; Vice President: Syed Manzur Elahi; Members: Zamal Uddin Ahmed,
M Anis Ud Dowla, Samson H Chowdhury, AHM Kamaluddin, Latifur Rahman, Iftekharul Alam, SA
Azim, M Dumetz, Abul Hasnat Khan, Md Nefaur rahman, Ramzul Seraj; Secretary: CK Hyder
1990
President: Syed Manzur Elahi; Vice President: Samson H Chowdhury; Members: Jamal Uddin
Ahmed, M Shamsul Alam, M Anis Ud Dowla, Abdul Haiz Choudhury, Mahbub Jamil, Iftekharul Alam,
M Sekander Ali, SA Azim, M Dumetz, M Morshed Khan, Md Nefaur rahman; Secretary: CK Hyder
1991
President: Syed Manzur Elahi; Vice President: Samson H Chowdhury; Members: Jamal Uddin
Ahmed, M Shamsul Alam, Khurshid Azam, M Dumetz, Mahbub Jamil, Iftekharul Alam, M Anis Ud
Dowla, Abdul Haiz Choudhury, Zeaul Huq, M Morshed Khan, Azimur Rahman; Secretary-General:
CK Hyder
1992
President: M Morshed Khan; Vice President: Latifur Rahman; Members: M Shamsul Alam,
Malcolm Fry, Zeaul Huq, SH Kabir, Azimur radhman, Khurshid Azam, K Kamrul Hoda, Mahbub Jamil,
Habibullah Khan, Salman F Rahman; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
1993
President: Latifur Rahman; Vice President: Azimur Rahman; Members: Khurshid Azam, M
Ahsanul Haque, Zeaul Haq, Habibullah Khan, Salman F Rahman, AKM Gaffar, K Kamrul Hoda, SH
Kabir, Joya Pati, IS Sangster, Feisal Siddiqi; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
1994
President: Latifur Rahman; Vice President: Azimur Rahman; Members: M Anis Ud Dowla, Gen
Amjad Khan, M Ahsanul Haque, Habibullah Khan, Salman F Rahman, SA Azim, AKM Gaffar, K Kamrul
Hoda, Joya Pati, IS Sangster, Feisal Siddiqi; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
1995
President: M Anis Ud Dowla; Vice President: Samson H Chowdhury; Members: Iftekharul Alam,
SA Azim, Gen Amjad Khan, Frank Gamble, Joya Pati, Syed Tareque Md Ali, Abdul Hapiz Choudhury, A
Rahim Chowdhury, M Ahsanul Haque, Afroz Rahim, Feisal Siddiqi; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
1996
President: Samson H Chowdhury; Vice President: Gen Amjad Khan Chowdhury; Members: Zafar
Ahmed, M Shamsul Alam, M Anis Ud Dowla, Abdul Hapiz Choudhury, Laila Rahman Kabir, Iftekharul
Alam, Syed Tareque Md Ali, SA Azim, Frank Gamble, Golam Mustafa, Afroz Rahim; SecretaryGeneral: CK Hyder
1997
President: Samson H Chowdhury; Vice President: Laila Rahman Kabir, Members: Zafar Ahmed, M
Shamsul Alam, Syed Tareque Md Ali, A Hapiz Choudhury, Asghar Karim, Iftekharul Alam, Muhammad
A Ali, M Anis Ud Dowla, Mahbub Jamil, Golam Mustafa, Afroz Rahim; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
1998
President: Laila Rahman Kabir; Vice President: M Shamsul Alam; Members: Zafar Ahmed, MA
Awal, A Rahim Chowdhury, Asghar Karim, Ramzul Seraj, MC Alam, AQI Chowdhury, Mahbub Jamil,
Latifur Rahman, Feisal Siddiqi, Geoff Williams; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
1999
President: Mahbub Jamil; Vice President: Asghar Karim; Members: CM Alam, Waliur Rahman
Bhuiyan, A Rahim Chowdhury, KZ Islam, Latifur Rahman, MA Awal, AQI Chowdhury, Francis Dubus,
Habibullah Khan, Ramzul Seraj, Feisal Siddiqi; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
2000
President: Latifur Rahman; Vice President: CM Alam; Members: A Rahim Chowdhury, Abdul Haiz
Choudhury, Tapan Chowdhury, KZ Islam, Ramjul Seraj, MA Awal, AQI Chowdhury, Waliur Rahman
Bhuiyan, Habibullah Khan, Feisal Siddiqi; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
2001
President: Latifur Rahman; Vice President: Tapan Chowdhury; Members: CM Alam, SA Azim, Maj
Gen Amjad Khan, AKM Raiqul Islam, Masih Ul Karim, Jean Alfonsi, Abdul Haiz Choudhury, Syed
Fazlul Haque, KZ Islam, Habibullah Khan, Shahab Sattar; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
2002
President: Tapan Chowdhury; Vice President: Abdul Haiz Choudhury; Members: Jean Alfonsi,
Muhammad A (Rumee) Ali, Maj Gen Amjad Khan, Md Nurul Islam, Masih Ul Karim, Feroz Rahim, Syed
Anwarul Azim, Syed Fazlul Haque, AKM Raiqul Islam, AK Shamsuddin Khan, Shahab Sattar;
Secretary-General: CK Hyder
2003
President: Tapan Chowdhury; Vice President: Abdul Haiz Choudhury; Members: Syed Anwarul
Azim, David JH Grifiths, AKM Raiqul Islam, Masih Ul Karim, Feroz Rahim, Maj Gen Amjad Khan, Md
Nurul Islam, Mahbub Jamil, AK Shamsuddin Khan, Rokia A Rahman; Shahab Sattar;
2004
President: Kutubuddin Ahmed; Vice President: Shahab Sattar; Members: Abdul Haiz Choudhury,
David JH Grifiths, AKM Raiqul Islam, AKM Shamsuddin Khan, Feroz Rahim, Tapan Chowdhury, Md
Nurul Islam, Obaidur Rahman Khan, Syed Nasim Manzur, Rokia A Rahman, Waliur Rahman Bhuiyan;
2005
President: Kutubuddin Ahmed; Vice President: AKM Raiqul Islam; Members: AKM Shamsul Alam,
Abdul Haiz Choudhury, M Anis Ud Dowla, Obaidur Rahman Khan, Feroz Rahim, Steve Banner, Tapan
Chowdhury, Md Nurul Islam, Syed Nasim Manzur, Rokia A Rahman, Shahab Sattar;
2006
President: Latifur Rahman; Vice President: AKM Raiqul Islam; Members: Kutubuddin Ahmed, M
Anis Ud Dowla, Imtiyaz Husain, Syed Nasim Manzur, M Shamsul Alam, Steve Banner, Md Nurul Islam,
Obaidur Rahman Khan, Feroz Rahim, Shahab Sattar; Secretary-General: CK Hyder
2007
President: Latifur Rahman; Vice President: Feroz Rahim; Members: M Shamsul Alam, Nasir A
Choudhury, M Anis Ud Dowla, Md Nurul Islam, Nihad Kabir, Steve Banner, Maj Gen Amjad Khan
Chowdhury, Imtiyaz Husain, Mahbub Jamil, Obaidur Rahman Khan, Syed Nasim Manzur;
2008
President: Latifur Rahman; Vice President: Abdul Haiz Choudhury; Members: M Anis Ud Dowla,
Nasir A Choudhury, Maj Gen Amjad Khan Chowdhury, Nihad Kabir, Steve Banner, Anjan Chowdhury,
M Azizul Huq, Imtiyaz Husain, Mahbub Jamil, Obaidur Rahman Khan, Syed Nasim Manzur;
2009
President: Abdul Haiz Choudhury; Vice President: Syed Nasim Manzur; Members: Syed Abu
Naser Bukhtear Ahmed, Nasir A Choudhury, Maj Gen Amjad Khan Choudhury, AKM Raiqul Islam,
Nihad Kabir, M Anis Ud Dowla, Anjan Chowdhury, M Azizul Huq, Anis A Khan, Obaidur Rahman Khan,
Golam Mainuddin; Adviser to the Committee: CK Hyder; Secretary-General: Farooq Ahmed
2010
President: M Anis Ud Dowla; Vice President: Syed Nasim Manzur; Members: Syed Tareque Md Ali,
Anjan Chowdhury, M Azizul Huq, Nihad kabir, Golam Mainuddin, Abdul Haiz Choudhury, Maj Gen
Amjad Khan Chowdhury, AKM Raiqul Islam, Anis A Khan, Kamran T Rahman, Mamun Rashid;
Adviser to the Committee: CK Hyder; Secretary-General: Farooq Ahmed
2011
President: Maj Gen Amjad Khan Chowdhury; Vice President: Nihad Kabir; Members: Syed
Tareque Md Ali, Akhter Matin Chaudhury, Anjan Chowdhury, M Azizul Huq, AKM Raiqul Islam,
Habibullah N Karim, Anis A Khan, Adeeb Hossain Khan, Golam Mainuddin, Feroz Rahim, Kamran T
Rahman; Adviser to the Committee: CK Hyder; Secretary-General: Farooq Ahmed
2012
President: Maj Gen Amjad Khan Chowdhury; Vice President: Nihad Kabir; Members: Syed
Tareque Md Ali, Akhter Matin Chaudhury, Anjan Chowdhury, M Azizul Huq, AKM Raiqul Islam, Anis
A Khan, Adeeb Hossain Khan, Golam Mainuddin, Feroz Rahim, Rokia Afzal Rahman, Kamran T
Rahman; Secretary-General: Farooq Ahmed
2013
President: Rokia Afzal Rahman; Vice President: Kamran T Rahman; Members: Syed Tareque Md
Ali, Tabith M Awal, Akhter Matin Chaudhury, Anjan Chowdhury, M Azizul Huq, AKM Raiqul Islam,
Habibullah N Karim, Anis A Khan, Adeeb Hossain Khan, Golam Mainuddin, Feroz Rahim;
Secretary-General: Farooq Ahmed
2014
President: Rokia Afzal Rahman; Vice President: Anis A Khan; Members: Syed Tareque Md Ali, M
Anis Ud Dowla, Tabith M Awal, Akhter Matin Chaudhury, AKM Raiqul Islam, Md Saiful Islam,
Habibullah N Karim, Adeeb Hossain Khan, Golam Mainuddin; Secretary-General: Farooq Ahmed
Appendix - 8
NAMES OF MEMBERS OF SUB-COMMITTEES 2014
Commercial Legislations: Anis A Khan, M Anis Ud Dowla, Abdul Haiz Choudhury, FCA, Tapan
Chowdhury, AKM Raiqul Islam, FCA, Adeeb H Khan, FCA, Akhter Matin Chaudhury, FCA, Jamal Uddin
Ahmad, FCA, Raique-ul Huq, Nihad Kabir, Golam Mainuddin
Corporate Governance & CSR: Anis A Khan, Nasir A Choudhury, Adeeb H Khan, FCA, Akhter Matin
Chaudhury, FCA, Raique-ul Huq, Nihad Kabir, Kamran Bakr, Andrew Tilke, Muhammad A. (Rumee)
Ali
Environment & Climate Change: Anis A Khan, Zahur Ahmed, PhD, FH Ansarey, Golam Mainuddin,
Md Hedayetullah, Niaz Rahim, Amyn Saleh.
Establishment: Rokia Afzal Rahman, Anis A Khan, Maj Gen Amjad Khan Chowdhury (Retd), M Anis
Ud Dowla, Abdul Haiz Choudhury, FCA, Latifur Rahman, Mahbub Jamil, Laila Rahman Kabir, Tapan
Chowdhury, Syed Manzur Elahi
Export: Kamran T Rahman, Anjan Chowdhury, Feroz Rahim, Md Saiful Islam, Arif Dowla, PhD,
Ardashir Kabir, Syed Nasim Manzur, Alamgir MZ Rahman
Finance & Membership: Anis A Khan, AKM Raiqul Islam, FCA, Syed Tareque Md Ali, Nasir A
Choudhury, Md Nurul Islam, Adeeb H Khan, FCA, Kamran T Rahman
FTA & WTO: Nihad Kabir, Habibullah N Karim, Ardashir Kabir, Syed Nasim Manzur, Tahmid Ahmed,
Zafar Ahmed, Sharif Bhuiyan, PhD
Industry: Akhter Matin Chaudhury, FCA, Kamran T Rahman, Md Saiful Islam, Syed Nasim Manzur,
Syed Nasim Manzur, Md Aziz Khan, Sakif Ariff Tabani, Kamran Bakr, Tabith M Awal, A Matin
Chowdhury, Wai Shaique Menhaz Khan, Andrew Tilke
Infrastructure: M Anis Ud Dowla, Syed Tareque Md Ali, Nasir A Choudhury, Zafar Ahmed, Anjan
Chowdhury, Waquer Hossain, Habibullah N Karim, ASM Mainuddin Monem, Feroz Rahim
International Trade & Fair: Akhter Matin Chaudhury, FCA, Arif Dowla, PhD, AQI Chowdhury, OBE,
Mamun Rashid, M Azizul Huq, Rubaiyat Jamil, Obaidur Rahman Khan, Munawar Misbah Moin
International Relations: Alamgir MZ Rahman, M Azizul Huq, Kamran Bakr, M Salman Ispahani, Aziz
Al Kaiser, AM Hamim Rahmatullah, N Janakiram Raju
Investment: Kamran T Rahman, Golam Mainuddin, Imran Ahmed, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Md Aziz
Khan, Salahuddin Kasem Khan, Mohammed Habibus Samad, Sakif Ariff Tabani
Tariff & Taxation: Anis A Khan, Abdul Haiz Choudhury, FCA, Tapan Chowdhury, AKM Raiqul Islam,
FCA, Adeeb H Khan, FCA, Akhter Matin Chaudhury, FCA, Nihad Kabir, Mahtabuddin Ahmed, Vivek
Anand, Abdul Khalek, FCA, A Qayyum Khan, PhD, Hasan Mahmood, FCA, Md Samsul Alam Mallick,
FCA
Appendix - 9
SUB-COMMITTEES (Year Wise)
NCC, 1904-1950
Communications & Customs
Finance, Currency and the Income Tax
Finance & Income Tax
Finance & Taxes
Import & Export
Labour
Law & Legislation
Licensed Measurers Department
Rail, River, Customs, Import, Export
DNCC, 1950-52
Finance & Income Tax
Finances & Taxes
Labour
Law & Legislation
Import/Export
DNCCI, 1952-58
Arbitrations
Buildings
Development
Finance
Law & Legislation
Law & Taxation
Import
Import & Export
Import Trade Control
Industries
Industries & Exports
International Arbitration
Jute Fabric Shippers
Taxation
NCCI, 1959-78
Arbitration
Building
Building Development
Building & Chamber Development
Chamber Development
Customs & Communications
Chamber Finance
Chamber Services Reorganization
Chamber Services Organization
Chamber Building & Development
Company Law
Export
Exports/Shipping
Finance
Finance & Chamber Development
Holidays
Law
Law & Taxation
Import
Imports & Exports
Imports, Exports & Shipping
Industry
Industries
International Relations
Jute Fabric Shippers
Jute & Jute Fabric Shippers
Jute Shippers
Selection
Taxation
Trustees for the Chamber Provident Fund
MCCI, Dhaka 1979-2000
Arbitration
Chamber Finance & Membership
Chamber Establishment
Company Law
Company Legislation
Commercial Legislation
Customs & Shipping
Export
Exports & Shipping
Foreign Investment
Holiday
Import
Imports & Tariff
Industry
International Relation
Selection
Taxation
MCCI, Dhaka 2000-Present

Arbitration
Chamber Finance & Membership
Chamber Establishment
Commercial Legislations
Corporate Governance & CSR
Customs & Shipping
Environment & Climate Change
Export
Foreign Investment
FTA & WTO
Holiday
Imports & Tariff
Industry
Infrastructure
International Relations
International Trade & Fair
International Trade and Tariff
Investment
Selection
Tariff and Customs
Tariff & Taxation
Taxation
Transport and Shipping
Transport, Shipping and Other Infrastructure Services
Appendix - 10
LIST OF HONORARY SECRETARIES/ ASSISTANT SECRETARIES/ DEPUTY SECRETARIES/ JOINT

SECRETARIES/ SECRETARIES/ SECRETARY-GENERALS
AL Godden, Honorary Secretary
1917
RN Story, Honorary Secretary
1924
JH Kirkland, Honorary Secretary

1930
H Williams, Honorary Secretary
1940
Swarup Mukherjee, Acting Honorary Secretary

1947
Gillespi Allen, Honorary Secretary
1948
CK Hyder, Secretary-General
1991-2008
CK Hyder, Adviser to the Committee

2009-11
Farooq Ahmed, Secretary-General
2009 onwards
Emorphopulas, Secretary
1949
Jack Garcia, Secretary
1950-57
K Mohyuddin, Acting Secretary

1957
MZ Ahmed, Secretary
1960-61, 1963-69
CK Hyder, Secretary
1972-90

Farhad Chowdhury, Secretary
1997-2003
Farooq Ahmed, Secretary
2004-2008
Absal Shaquib Quoreshi, Secretary

2009 onwards
Md Murshid Alam, Secretary
2009 onwards
KS Shahabuddin, Joint Secretary

1958-59
MZ Ahmed, Joint Secretary
1958-59
CK Hyder, Joint Secretary
1971
K Mohyuddin, Deputy Secretary

1954-56
KS Shahabuddin, Deputy Secretary

1957
CK Hyder, Deputy Secretary
1968-70
M Ebraheem, Assistant Secretary

1956-58
MH Kashani, Assistant Secretary
1959
AW Chalmers, Assistant Secretary

1958-61
JR Khan, Assistant Secretary
1963-64
CK Hyder, Assistant Secretary

1965-67
Appendix - 11
REPRESENTATIVES (Year Wise) TO VARIOUS COMMITTEES AND ORGANISATION

NCC, 1904-1950
East Bengal Board of Industries
East Bengal Labour Advisory Board
Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire
Narayanganj Municipality
Pakistan Association
Pakistan Tea Board
Pakistan Tea Licensing Committee
DNCC, 19950-52
Employers Association
East Bengal Board of Industries
Jute Brokers Association
Pakistan Insurance Corporation
DNCCI, 1952-58
Board of Commercial Education, Government of East Bengal
Board of Governors, Viqarunnissa Noon School
Court, Dacca University
Dacca and Narayanganj Municipalities
Dacca University
East Bengal Jute Dealers Association
East Bengal Railway Local Advisory Committee
Employment Advisory Committee for the Regional Employment Exchange
Employment Exchanges
Federation of Chambers of Commerce of the British Empire
Food and Agricultural Council
Governors Refugee Relief Fund
Government College of Commerce, Chittagong
Import Control Advisory Committee
Import Trade Control
Inland Water Transport

Original Civil Jurisdiction of High Courts
Pakistan Jute Mills Association
Pakistan Tea Board
Provincial Industrial Advisory Council
Provincial Transport Authority Committee
Regional Employment Advisory Committee
Textile & consumers Goods
Trade Union Workers Training Scheme
Viqarunnissa Girls School
West Pakistan Chamber of Commerce & Industry
NCCI, Dacca: 1959-79

Advisory Committee to the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports
Advisory Committee to the Commissioner of Taxes
Advisory Committee to relating to Custom & Excise, Dacca
Advisory Council for Ministry of Commerce
Advisory Council for Ministry of Commerce (Central)
Advisory Council for Ministry of Commerce & Foreign Trade
Asian and Far Eastern Affairs of the International Chamber of Commerce (CAFEA)
Bangladesh Banks Co-ordination Committee
Bangladesh Jute Press Owners Association
Board of Trustees, Dacca Improvement Trust
Board of Governors of the Bangladesh Management Development Centre
Bureau of National Reconstruction
Chalna Anchorage Advisory Committee
Chalna Port Advisory Committee
Chittagong Central Excise and Land Customs Advisory Committee
Central Savings Board, Government of East Pakistan
Chittagong Port Advisory panel
Chittagong Customs Advisory Body
Commercial Advisory Committee for East Pakistan
Central Excise and Land Customs Advisory Board, Dacca
Central Excise and Land Customs Advisory Board, Khulna
Central Excise and Land Customs Advisory Board, Chittagong
Central Excise and Land Customs Advisory Committee

Custom House Advisory Committee, Chittagong
Dacca Improvement trust
Dacca-Narayanganj Electricity Advisory Committee
East Bengal Railway Local Advisory Committee
East Pakistan Transport Authority Committee
East Pakistan Labour Advisory Board
EPIWT Authority Advisory Committee
Exports Credits Guarantee Scheme
Export Promotion Council, Ministry of Industries
Formation of Co-Ordination Committee at Dacca on Banking Services
Income-Tax Commissioners Advisory Committee
Industrial Advisory Council for Bangladesh
Industrial Advisory Council for Ministry of Industries
Industrial Advisory Council for East Pakistan
Import Advisory Committee for East Pakistan
Import Advisory Committee for Dacca Division
Import Advisory Committee for Dacca Region
Import Advisory Committee of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports
Inter-Ministerial Committee on Labour
Jurisdiction of Chambers of Commerce & Industry
Jute & Textile Divisional Council of the Bangladesh Standards Institutions
Jute & Textile Council of the Bangladesh Standards Institutions
Labour Advisory Board
Management Board for abandoned Properties for Dacca City and Adjoining Area
National Advisory Council for Small Industries
National Committee for Development of Small & Cottage Industry
National Council of Shippers
Nomination on Pakistan Council of Scientiic & Industrial Research Laboratories, Rajshahi
Pakistan Eastern Railway Local Advisory Committee
Pakistan Labour Advisory Board
Pakistan Standards Institution General Council
Pakistan Tea Board
PE Railway Local Advisory Committee
Planning Commission
Inland Water Transport Panel
Provincial Transports Authority
Provincial Tripartite Advisory Committee
Regional Employment Advisory Committee
Inland Transport Committee of the ILO
Central Statistics Bureau
Standing Committee on Export Credit
Labour Committee
East Pakistan Labour Advisory Board
The Advisory Committee on Customs and Excise, Dacca
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry
The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry
The Narayanganj Town Development Committee
The National Committee for Development of Small and Cottage Industries
The Pakistan Institute of Industrial Accountants
The Taxes Commissioners Advisory Committee
Trade Organizations Ordinance
Training & Employment Advisory Committee of Dacca Polytechnic
MCCI, Dhaka: 1979-1999
Advisory Committee to the Commissioners of Taxes
Advisory Committee Relating to Custom & Excise, Dacca
Advisory Committee relating to Custom & Excise, Dhaka
Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Textiles
Bangladesh Banks Co-ordinations Committee
Bangladesh Institute of Management
Bangladesh Management Development Centre
Bangladesh Management Development Centre, Ministry of Industries
Bangladesh Shipping Corporation
Bangladesh Shippers Council
Board of Trustees, Dhaka Improvement Trust
Chittagong Port Authority Advisory Committee

Consultative Committee to the Ministry of Jute & Textiles
Consultative Committee for the Jute Division
Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Industries and Commerce
Dacca District of Bangladesh Small Cottage Industries Corporation
Drugs Price Fixation Committee
EPBs Management Board
National Council for Industrial Development
Ministry of Industries
Import Advisory Committee of the Chief Controller of Imports & Exports
Institute of Business Administration, Dhaka University
Inter-Ministerial Committee on Labour
ICD (Internal Container Depot) Advisory Committee, Dhaka
ICD (Internal Container Depot) Advisory Committee, Chittagong
ICD (Inland Container Depot) Advisory Committee, Dhaka
ICD (Inland Container Depot) Advisory Committee, Chittagong
Jute & Textile Council of the Bangladesh Standards Institutions
Jute & Textile Council of the Bangladesh Standards & Testing Institution
Management Board for Abandoned Properties for Dacca City and Adjoining Area
National Committee for Development of Small & Cottage Industries
National Committee on Exports
Steering Committee for Implementation of Uruguay Round Agreement
Task Force on Exports
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry
Training & Employment of Advisory Committee of Dacca Polytechnic Institute

Transport Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Communications
Transport Consultative Committee
MCCI, Dhaka: 2000-Present

Advisory Committee to the Commissioners of Taxes
Advisory Committee for the Ministry of Textiles
Bangladesh Institute of Management
Board of Directors of Dhaka Stock Exchange Ltd.
Committee alteration of Infrastructure draft National Preservation Law Implementation Sangstha
Council of Bangladesh Standards & Testing Institute
Free Trade Group
Inland Container Depot (ICD) Advisory Committee, Dhaka
Inland Container Depot (ICD) Advisory Committee, Chittagong
Jute & Textile Council of the Bangladesh Standards & Testing Institution
National Committee on Exports
National Council for Industrial Development (NCID)
Palli Daridra Bimochan Foundation
Task Force on Exports
Transport Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Communications
Appendix - 12
amendments
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
OF
METROPOLITAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, DHAKA
(Registered under Sec. 26 of the Companies Act 1913 as adapted for Bangladesh)
Adapted by Special Resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting
held on the 11th April, 1949
As amended by Special Resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting
held on the 15th July 1952
held on the 20th December 1958
held on the 11th August, 1959
held on the 15th October, 1963
held on the 18th March, 1972
held on the 24th March, 1977
held on the 20th December, 1979
held on the 7th February, 1981

held on the 10th July, 1986
held on the 4th September, 1989
held on the 31st December, 1990

held on the 1st November, 1994
held on the 12th September, 2002
held on the 22nd October, 1012
Appendix - 13
amendments
MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION
OF
METROPOLITAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY, DHAKA
(Registered under Sec. 26 of the Companies Act 1913 as adapted for Bangladesh)
Adapted by Special Resolution passed at an Extraordinary General Meeting
held on the 11th April, 1949

held on the 15th July, 1952
Appendix - 14
Mr AK Fazlul Haq
Governor of East Pakistan (1958)
[Mr AK Fazlul Haq, Governor of East Bengal, delivered his irst speech as the Chief Guest in the 51st
Annual General Meeting of DNCCI held on 6 April, 1956. This speech has been compiled in the
Annual Report of 1956, PP. 19-33. Mr Haq delivered a speech again as the Chief Guest in the 53rd
Annual General Meeting of DNCCI held on 4 March, 1958. This second speech was published in the
Annual Report of the Chamber of 1958, PP. 16-20 as follows]
Mr President, Members of the Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry and
Gentlemen,
I deem it a great privilege to be your Chief Guest at the Annual General Meeting of the
Dacca-Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I am grateful to you, Mr President, for the
warm welcome you have so kindly extended to me.
Mr President, you have referred to so many points in your address that it will not be possible
for me to dilate on all of them. I would only touch the important features of them and assure you that
everything you have said will receive the careful consideration of the Provincial and Central
Governments.
I entirely agree with your remarks, Mr President, when you say that the primary producing
countries all over the world seem to be incurring a substantial deicit on their trade with the rest of
the world. This is, of course, due to the reasons already expressed by you in your speech, but as long
as we are aware of the trends in this regard we need not to be alarmed about the future.
With regard to the inlationary tendencies in the country which you have just referred to in
your speech I can assure you, Mr President, that this has been causing all of us a great deal of anxiety.
You may rest assured that both the Provincial and the Central Governments are doing and will do
their utmost to meet the threat of inlation. Corrective measures in the ield of credit control have
already been taken. The Government have, however, in hand various measures which are expected
to offer an effective check to inlationary tendencies. Among these may be mentioned intensive drive
to combat tax evasion, collection of arrears of revenues, investigation of new sources of revenue by
the Tax Inquiry Committee, expansion of agricultural production, particularly food by increasing
credit facilities for agriculturalists by implementing other short and long term measures.
I am happy to note that you, as representatives of commerce and industry, are stressing for
greater attention to be paid to agriculture. There is no doubt whatsoever that agriculture is our basic
industry and it is for this reason that my Government as well as the Central Government are
determine to concentrate all our energies on its improvement. The increase of agricultural
production is depend, however, upon the use of machinery, large size of the farm, high quality of
basic research, a very effective agricultural extension service and last but not the least the price
support policy of the Government. In a free economy, the price incentive is the best incentive and
following this policy my Government have recently raised the procurement price of rice in east
Pakistan. Other incentives to production of crops are also being provided. Chemical fertilizers are
being sold at about one-third of the cost price and plan protection measures adopted by Government
have been made available to every farmer, entirely free of cost.
Another important fact is that our agricultural production depends very largely on rainfall and
its excess or shortage alter the picture very much. Floods and droughts have played havoc with our
efforts to step up agricultural production and ruined our ideal. Many successive devasting loods
visited our country and occasional droughts in both the wings have created further serious
dificulties. My Government has given the agricultural development the top-most priority in its
planning and we propose to maintain pressure for increase in agricultural production until we
achieve self-suficiency in food as well as desired production of raw materials. Our irst objective is
the immediate building up of food reserve. We, therefore, propose to start with a modest reserve of
2.5 lakh tons of rice in East Pakistan and 2.5 lakh tons of wheat in West Pakistan this year. We are also
concentrating effort on providing an extra crop in East Pakistan during the dry winter months
through lift irrigation. In this connection I may mention that we have received 1,000 pumping sets
this winter for irrigating lands which get dry during winter and for which irrigation is available.
Already 600 of these pumps are under use.
I am very happy to note that your Chamber has appreciated the Governments effort to
eradicate the menace of smuggling which has caused so much loss to this country. We will welcome
the continued co-operation of important public bodies and members of the public in ighting this
evil. Unless popular co-operation is continuously an ungrudgingly extended it will not be possible
for Government to achieve satisfactory results of a permanent result. Intensive anti-smuggling drive,
I can assure you, will continue as long it is necessary.
Mr President, you have complained that you and your associates are not consulted in matters
of trade and commerce and industry by the Government. This is not quite correct. I can assure you
that the Central and Provincial Governments are always anxious to have the advice of the trade
decisions concerning commercial issues. The Central Government have recently decided to set up a
Committee called the Import Control Advisory Committee including representatives of Trade and
Industry from the different regions to advise Government in farming the import licensing policy in
each shipping period, the procedure of licensing and allied matters. The enactment of the particular
Act referred to by you, namely, the East Pakistan Development of Industries (Control and
Regulation) Act, 1957, was necessary only because the Constitution generally placed industries
under the control of the Provincial Government. As this Act was drawn up on the lines of the
Development of Industries (Federal Control) Act of 1949 the provisions of which had been in force
for the last eight years it was not felt quite necessary to consult the trade afresh on them.
Government will always welcome any constructive suggestions and will give their fullest
consideration in order to improve upon the existing Act, if that is possible.
The improvement of Inland Water Transport system is a provincial responsibility. Our Central
Government is fully aware of the need of improving the Inland Water Transport system in East
Pakistan. The Central Government has also made a preliminary approach under the ICA Aid
programme for the provision of a loan of 4.03 million Dollars over a period of three years from the
United States Development Loan Fund for the development and improvement of Inland ports and
waterways. You can rest assured that my Government will leave no stone unturned for the
development of waterways and water transport of the Province.
As regard the Chalna anchorage, the Central Government have moved for a loan of one million
Dollars under the ICA programme to purchase the hulk of a ship to use as loating warehouse with
ofices for custom and other oficers to clear the goods for transit in the interior stations.
Mr President I am glad that the improvement in the over-all working of the Chittagong Port has
been appreciated by you. Government are doing everything in their power to facilitate further
development of trade of two wings of Pakistan. As Chittagong is now the principal port in the Eastern
Zone of Pakistan, appreciable development expenditure has been incurred on improving the port
and its facilities.
Your suggestion to include in Government Committee experience business executives

representing trade organizations such as yourselves is a good one and I will certainly ask my
Government to make a note of it and I am sure it will receive the Governments fullest consideration.
I can assure that Government are very earnest to see that industrial peace which is so essential
for the development of the country is not disturbed. Government are determined to deal with the
illegal and frivolous strikes very irmly. But at the same time the Government are determined that
the labourers get just wages and other amenities. The government have, therefore, set up a
Minimum Wages Board which will recommend to Government the minimum wages which are to be
paid to the various classes of labour. Compulsory recognition of trade unions has already been
legislated by the Government which will foster healthy trade unionism. The intention of Government
is to ensure that the labourers get a reasonable wage for their toils consistent with the policy that the
industrials also get a fair return on their investment. Government hope that both the employers and
employees will recognise the importance of industrial peace in the life of growing Nation and will
strive to maintain it in the best interest of the country and to their mutual beneit.
It is heartening to note that you are alive to the necessity of securing to the cultivator of a fair
return for his jute. I can assure that it is not the aim of the Governments jute polices to raise the jute
prices higher and higher. The Government are anxious to see that production is so regulated that jute
price is maintained at a level, which is not only fair to the grower but economic to the importer as
well. The Government are fully alive to the danger of substitutes and it is not their intention to frame
the jute policy in such a way that Pakistani jute is priced out of the international market. The policy
of Government is to strike a balance among the conlicting interests of growers, traders,
industrialists and the consumers, so that while the growers get a fair price, the substitutes do not
oust the jute from its legitimate places in the world market.
As I mentioned to the President of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce the drought caused a
serious reduction last years tea crop which is regretted by all of us. However, by intensifying efforts,
and by increasing the area under cultivation, the industry can ensure its own prosperity.
I will now conclude my address by tanking you Mr President and Members of your Chamber
once again for extending your kind invitation to me to address this meeting.
Appendix - 15
Mr Abdul Monem Khan

Governor of East Pakistan (1963)
[Mr Abdul Monem Khan, Governor of East Pakistan, delivered his Speech as the Chief Guest in
replying to the presidential address in the 59th Annual General Meeting of NCCI held on 19
December, 1963. This Speech has been compiled in the Annual Report of 1964, PP. 16-22 as follows]
Mr President, Members of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industries (NCCI),
Gentlemen,
I am grateful to you for your kind invitation to attend the Annual General Meeting of your Chamber
and to have the opportunity of exchanging views with your members. It is needless to mention that
a well organized Chamber of Commerce and Industry, promoted by considerations of national
interest, can play a very useful role in helping Government in formulating polices, economical, iscal
or otherwise, in the best interest of the country. In fact the views and suggestions of Chambers are
always given due consideration by Government before policy decisions are made. I am glad to note
that your Chamber has been playing its part well and I would like to record my appreciation for the
same.
2. In your address you have covered a wide range of subjects, both in the national and international
spheres including iscal and monetary policy of the country. Many of your suggestions in iscal and
monetary and socio-economic spheres fall within the jurisdiction of the Central Government. I have
no doubt that the relevant authorities of the Central Government will carefully consider your
suggestions in farming polices for the future. In so far as they may relate to the sphere of the
Provincial Government, I can assure you that the Provincial Government will give their best
consideration in removing any dificulty which the Trade and Industry may encounter in
maintaining steady and buoyant growth.
3. It is heartening to note that the forecast for the current year does not portend any recession and
the boom already evidenced is likely to continue. It need, however, be pointed out that inspite of the
improved outlook in the agricultural commodity market, the downturn, noticed in some of the
important commodities produced by Pakistan, has continued, affecting the economy of the country
as a whole, and of this Province in particular. The speciic points you have made in regard to this
aspect will be dealt with in the appropriate place. I would like to mention here that there is a good
deal of difference in the approach in this respect between the Trade and the Government and the
part played by the Trade in this respect cannot always be looked upon with equanimity.
4. We are now passing through the transitory phase of transformation into a semi-industrial
economy. It is satisfactory to note that the industrial production showed an increase of 13.4 percent.
In spite of overall decline in the growth rate in the national income during 1962-63 and that
response from the private sector was satisfactory.
5. About 80 percent of our people live in villages and, therefore, the development of rural areas and
improvement of standards of living of the masses should b uppermost in the minds of our planners.
All our future plans programmes must be made with this object in view. We must industrialise our
country and increase the contribution of Industry to the gross national product but the development
of agriculture and improvement of communication, educational, medical and other facilities in the
villages should go hand in hand with the development of Industry, in order that the entire nation can
beneit from the development efforts.
6. I entirely agree with you that the decline in prices of agricultural exports and corresponding
increase of those of the manufactured goods pose a serious problem for most of the developing
countries like ours, when it is viewed against an ever rising trend in the price of raw materials and
manufactured goods, including machinery, which we have to import in order to established new
industries and maintain the old ones. The unit values of Pakistans total export have generally been
on the decline except during years of temporary boom in the price of our exportable commodities
and her terms of trade, which during the period of April, 1948 was 100 fell to 60.1 in
October-December, 1962. Although our export earnings are increasing but this increase is largely
offset by the fall in price of Pakistans major exports in agricultural raw materials. Diversiication of
the economy by rapid industrialization of the country and lessening the dependence on exports of
primary commodities seem to be the only answer to this. This imposes a heavy responsibility to our
industrialists to take all steps to increase the tempo of production and to produce quality goods at a
cheaper and competitive price and to explore new markets for the same. Similar steps are necessary
to be taken in regard to agricultural commodities, especially jute. In order to meet the challenge of
substitutes we must produce our golden ibre at still cheaper price and take steps to ind out varied
uses of jute ibre.
7. Mr President I entirely agree with you that the private sector should be allowed to pay its rightful
role in the speedy development of the country. That is in fact one of the objectives of the Second
Five-Year Plan and it has been reiterated on numerous occasions. This will be amply demonstrated if
we examine the revised investment schedule which has raised the private sector investment igure
from Rs 69.96 crores to Rs 95.44 crores of East Pakistan alone. It is proposed to give greater
importance to private sector investment during the Third plan. The public sector investment has
generally been conined to heavy capital-intensive and less remunerative industries in which private
enterprise has not been forthcoming either generally or in particular regions.
8. In this context I like to touch very briely on the subject of taxation and probable anti-cartel
measures which you have mentioned in your address. Government is anxious to give all facilities to
the private sector for capital formation and for setting up industries very rapidly. At the same time
the beneits of the industrialization should be shared by other agencies contributing to the growth
of national product either in the form of cheaper of inished products, or in the form of equitable
wages for the labourers. No Government having the good of the people at heart can play a silent role
while concentration of wealth in the hands of a few is giving rise to general discontent. Our labour
legislation and taxation measures have been designed to maintain the social equilibrium and the
same time to ensure steady industrial progress in order that the entire nation can participate in the
prosperity generated by the industrial development of the country and to enjoy greater social and
economic beneits. I can give you assurance that while these principles will be kept in view, nothing
will be done to the detriment of legitimate interests of the private sector. I am aware that no Cartel
as such has been formed but what we are anxious to avoid is the effect which concentration of trade
and industry in a few hands is likely to produce to the detriment of the interest of the nation as a
whole.
9. Whilst on the subject of labour I think I hardly need emphasise that the relationship between
employer and employees is a relationship that involves a balance of both rights and obligations of
either side. This naturally requires a certain amount of human understanding, co-operation and
appreciation of each others view point. I would, however, request you to remember that under the
conciliation procedures Government has no power to compel any party, whether be labour or the
management, to concede anything. It is only after conciliation fails that the parties become entitled
to seek redress of their grievances through the process of adjudication in the industrial Court. It is
well to remember that happy and contended labour is also eficient labour. As the persian saying
runs:
Mazdoor Khus Dil
Kunad-Kar Besh
I would like to appeal to labour to maintain discipline and not to do anything which impairs the
capacity of industries to pay them adequate wages, by resorting to strike or lockout on insuficient
grounds or use force in forcing their will on others, as such action has the effect of reducing the
output and earning of the industry. Every man-our lost means loss of output and earnings of the
Industry and is a national loss as it reduces the national product. We assure them that their
legitimate grievances will always receive the most sympathetic consideration of Government.
10. In regard to import under AID licensing mentioned by you, I may point out that due to rather
tight foreign exchange position, it has not been possible to import all the requirements of raw
materials under cash licensing. However, your suggestion regarding placement of spare parts and
machineries on cash licensing is being sent to the Ministry of Commerce for their consideration. The
real remedy to this situation is to quickly augment the foreign exchange earnings. You have referred
to increase the foreign exchange earnings during 1962, but most of this is due to increase in the
earnings of one commodity, namely, cotton. There has not been signiicant increase in the
contribution of other commodities either agricultural or industrial. Government have adopted
several measures to boost up exports and are endeavoring to give more and more encouragement to
export industries. The export bonus Scheme which you have mentioned is but one of the many
measures taken towards this end and it is up to the industries to take advantage of these measures
to augment exports and exports earnings instead of merely continuing their sale to the sheltered
home market.
11. In jute export, quota system and price advantage to the small shippers have obviously been
retorted to for broadbasing this trade and to boost up small Pakistani shippers. Jute marketing
Corporation is at a disadvantage as compared to other shippers because it has to carry out the
directives of Government about lifting of jute from uneconomic centres, particularly border areas
and at a ixed price a job which other buyers were not too enthusiastic to do in the past. Besides,
the Corporation is also to hold the buffer stock. For all these considerations, the price advantage
which the Jute Market Corporation is enjoying with other small shippers may not be grudged.
12. Government are also keen to see the Jute Industry developed as much and as fast as possible. It
is the single largest industry in this Province. The target for jute loomage during the Second Plan
period has been raised to 18,000 and sanction for installation of another 2,000 looms has already
been given. The expansion programme of the existing mills from 250 to 500 loomage has also been
taken in hand. I am happy to ind that this industry is steadily making progress.
13. We have taken note of your suggestions regarding the economic size of Textile Mills. We are
trying to get a larger allocation of spindles in East Pakistan and this request of yours will be taken
into consideration along with other factors.
14. Your request to extend the Export Bonus Scheme beyond the period of the Second Plan will be
placed before the Central Government.
15. You have mentioned about the condition of certain roads in the Province. I have already touched
on the need for improvement of communications all around road, rail and water. You are aware of
the dificulty and cost of making roads and maintaining them in this Province. I would like to
consider that at the time of independence we in East Pakistan inherited only 240 miles of paved
roads. By 1962-63 the total mileage of paved roads in the Province have increased to 1,400 miles of
which more than 500 miles have been constructed during the irst three years of the Second
Five-Year Plan. I can, however, assure you that the roads you have mentioned are within our plan of
improvement of trunk and local roads and the work would be taken up in due course as additional
funds are available.
16. In regard to Tea, we are in an unfortunate position. The consumption is increasing at a rate faster
than the production can increase under normal circumstances. The production as you know is
subject to variation due to climatic factors and during two years recently production went down by
30 and 12 percent respectively. Government have launched a scheme of expansion of areas in the
existing gardens and of setting up new gardens and have provided all possible facilities in regard to
credit, tax holidays and moratorium in regard to payment of Government revenues. The industry
which is making not inconsiderable proit should come forward to undertake schemes of irrigation
so that the fall in production from drought can be prevented and per acre production can be
increased substantially. We can then keep pace with the increased demand and can also spare a
sizeable quantity for the export market.
17. As regards hides/skins, our Industry should now aim at processing the bulk of hides and skins
produced locally and convert them into inished goods as far as possible so that our export can take
the shape of inished leather or leather goods. Our leather goods have already established a market
in some foreign countries and there is scope for further increase.
18. It is gratifying to note that the plans the major IWT operators for modernization, rehabilitation
and expansion of their leets are now well under way. It is hoped that much greater attention will be
paid by them in future to augment the passenger capacity with improved standard of comfort, safety
and speed, and to acquire additional river-cum-sea transport capacity for serving the Chittagong
Port.
19. It seems to me that the plans for changeover from coal-ired vessels to diesel propelled ones were
not dictated by the merits of the cheaper fuel costs alone but also for other important reasons such
as (i) the relative advantages of volume weight/power ratio of diesel engines, thereby making more
space available on the vessels for carriage of cargo and passengers, (ii) maximum operational
lexibility inherent in a diesel installation and (iii) less fuel consumption for keeping the vessels in
readiness. In the ultimate analysis, there should be savings in the direct operational costs of diesel
vessels even with the increased fuel costs.
20. After making detailed study of the impact of increased duty on fuel oils on the operating costs,
the IWTA have already authorised an increase of 7 per cent. in the special rates of major operators.
21. For a short period power supply from the Kaptai Hydro station was interrupted due to faults due
to fault developing in the generators on account of certain manufacturing defects. One of the
machines has already been repaired and is operating satisfactorily to meet the full demand and the
other will be put back into service within a short period. But I do not think I can agree with you in
doubting the total wisdom of setting up the Kaptai project. It is well to remember that the Kaptai
project is a multi-purpose project. It has contributed towards saving the Karnahuli and Halda basin
from the extensive ravages of loods. It has proved useful for navigation purposes. Since its
commission, the Hydro generating station has contributed in less than two years 365 million
kilowatt-hours of energy worth about Rs 30 million in the cost of fuel alone which would have to be
imported otherwise. To have thermal station in each district, running on imported fuel would be a
costly affair. However, with the discovery of natural gas proposals are already in hand for planning
additional thermal power stations in the province. The general question of reducing power rates in
East Pakistan is already being actively considered by Government.
22. I thank you once again Mr Chairman and Members of your Chamber for having given me this
opportunity of coming into contact with you and acquainting myself with the problem faced by trade
and industry. I can assure you that we shall spare on pains to meet your legitimate demands.
Appendix 16 (1)
CERTIFICATE OF NAME CHANGE

Issue No. 1220
IN THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR OF COMPANIES

UNDER ACT OF VII OF 1913
IN THE MATTER OF NARAYANGANJ CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
122-124, Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka
I do hereby certify that pursuant to the provisions of Section II, sub-section (5), Act VII, 1913 (the
Companies Act, 1913), and under order of the Government of Bangladesh conveyed by their No. 2
(23)/79, T.O. Department, Ministry of Commerce dated the 4th December/79 to the address of
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 122-124, Motijheel Commercial Area, Dacca, the
name of Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry has this day been changed to
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka and that the said Company has been duly
incorporated as a Company under the provisions of the said Act.
Dated this 21st day of December, One thousand Nine hundred and Seventy nine.
SEAL
Sd/(Mohammad Ali)
Registrar,
Joint Stock Companies,
Bangladesh
J. S. C. 39
P C P P D II Shift-2362/69-70 (c)-(c-432)-24-3-70-1. 500.
Appendix - 16(2)
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
C/76
1305-E.P. of 1959-1960
No. ____________________
34
I hereby certify that Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry is this day incorporated under
the Companies Act VII of 1913.
Given under my hand at Chittagong this eight day of October, One thousand Nine hundred and Fifty
nine.
SEAL
Registrar of Joint Stock Companies,
East Pakistan
Sd/- B. Huq.
Registrar of Joint Stock Companies,
EAST PAKISTAN
Appendix - 16(3)
LICENCE
Licence
GOVERNMENT OF PAKISTAN
Ministry of Commerce
Issued under Section 26th of the Companies Act, 1913.
No. 3
WHEREAS it has been proved to the satisfaction of the Central Government that an association
calling itself Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been formed for promoting trade,
commerce or industry and representing and protecting the interests of persons engaged in trade,
commerce or industry and doing acts and things connected there with or incidental thereto and that
it applies its proits or other income in promoting its object and prohibits the payment of any divided
to its members:
NOW, THEREFORE, in pursuance of Section 26th of the Companies Act, 1913 (VII OF 1913), the
Central Government by this licence is pleased to direct that the said association be registered as a
company with limited liability without the addition of the word Limited to its name,
THIS LICENCE is granted subject to:-
(a) The fulillment by the said association of the requirement of the paragraphs I to
14 of the Central Government Resolution No. 333/101/57-EP, III, dated the 18
November, 1958 as amended, from time to time, except where any exemption is
granted by the Ministry of Commerce; and
(b) The conditions and regulations contained in the Memorandum and the Article of
Association of the said association, a copy of which is hereto annexed, to the
extent such conditions and regulation are not inconsistent with the said
Resolution.
GIVEN under the hand Abbas Khaleeli, Secretary to the Government of Pakistan in the Ministry of
Commerce, this 16th day of March, 1959.
Mc, 3-Spl
GPPK-H51 Commerce-232-59-500
Sd/-Abbas Khaleeli
Secretary to the Government of Pakistan

Appendix - 17
Ofice-bearers for 2014

01. Rokia Afzal Rahman
02. Anis A Khan
03. Syed Tareque Md Ali

04. M Anis Ud Dowla
05. Tabith M Awal
06. Akhter Matin Chaudhury, FCA
President
Chair, Arlinks Limited
Member
Managing Director, Kushtia Cold Storage Ltd
Vice-President Managing Director & CEO, Mutual Trust Bank Ltd
Chairman, Advanced Chemical Industries Ltd
Managing Director, Kay & Que (Bangladesh) Ltd
Chairman & Managing Director, Nuvista Pharma Ltd
07. AKM Raiqul Islam, FCA
Chairman, Rangamati Water Front
09. Habibullah N Karim
Managing Director, Technohaven Company Ltd
08. Md Saiful Islam
10. Adeeb H Khan, FCA

11. Golam Mainuddin
12. Kamran T Rahman

13. Mamun Rashid
Managing Director, Picard Bangladesh Ltd
Senior Partner, Rahman Rahman Huq
Managing Director, Pubali Jute Mills Limited
Chairman, British American Tobacco Bangladesh

Company Limited
Vice Chairman, BD Venture Limited
SECRETARY-GENERAL
Farooq Ahmed
Source: http://www.mccibd.org/pages/ofice-bearers.php
Appendix - 18
MCCI, Dhaka: Member List (September 30, 2014)

ORDINARY MEMBERS
A
aamra Networks Limited
aamra Technologies Limited
AB Bank Limited
Abdul Monem Limited
Abdul Monem Sugar Reinery Limited
ACI Foods Limited
ACI Formulations Limited
ACI Godrej Agrovet Private Limited
ACI Logistics Limited
ACI Motors Limited
ACI Pure Flour Limited
ACI Salt Limited
Acnabin
Advanced Chemical Industries Ltd
AEG Engineering Limited
AEI-English Electric of Bangladesh Limited
Aftab Automobiles Limited
Aftab Bahumukhi Farms Ltd
Aftab Feed Products Ltd
Agrani Bank Ltd
Agricultural Marketing Co Ltd
A. K. Khan & Company Limited
Albert David (Bangladesh) Limited
Alltex Industries Ltd
Alpha Tobacco Mfg Co Ltd
Amann Bangladesh Limited
Ambee Pharmaceuticals Limited
American Life Insurance Company
A M Foods Limited
Apex Footwear Limited
Apex Foods Limited
Apex Lingerie Limited
Apexpharma Limited
Apex Spinning & Knitting Mills Ltd
Apex Textile Printing Mills Ltd
Apex Tannery Limited
Apex Weaving & Finishing Mills Ltd
Apex Yarn Dyeing Ltd
Archroma (Bangladesh) Ltd

Arlinks Limited
Asian Surveyors Limited
Astras Garments Limited
Avery Bangladesh Limited
B
Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation
Bangladesh Development Bank Ltd
Bangladesh Export Import Co Ltd
Bangladesh Insulator & Sanitaryware Factory Limited
Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation
Bangladesh Jute Mills Limited
Bangladesh Lamps Limited
Bangladesh Paper Mills Limited
Bank Asia Limited
BASF Bangladesh Limited
Basundhara Garments Limited
Bata Shoe Co (Bangladesh) Ltd
Bayer Crop Science Limited
BD Venture Ltd
Bengal Fisheries Limited
Bengal Glass Works Limited, The
Bengal Shipping Line Ltd
Bengal Steel Works Limited
Berger Paints Bangladesh Limited
Beverage Distribution Ltd
Beximco Apparels Limited
Beximco Pharmaceuticals Limited
Birds Bangladesh Agencies Limited
BRAC Bank Limited
BRAC Impact Venture Ltd
BRAC Net Ltd
British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Ltd
Bureau Veritas (BIVAC) Bangladesh Ltd
C
Cemex Cement (Bangladesh) Ltd
Central Depository Bangladesh Ltd
Chandpur Jute Mills Limited
Citibank NA
City Brokerage Ltd
Coats Bangladesh Limited
Coca-Cola Far East Limited
Concord Condominium Limited
Concord Engineers & Construction Limited

Concorde Garments Limited
Consolidated Chemicals Limited
Consumer Products Limited
Cosmos Shipping Lines (Pvt) Ltd
Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC
D
Dacca Dyeing & Mfg Co Ltd, The
Delta Brac Housing Finance Corporation Ltd
Delta Ties Limited
Desh Garments Limited
Dhaka Regency Hotel & Resort Ltd
DHS Motors Ltd
Dipon Infrastructure Services Ltd
Dr Kamal Hossain & Associates
Duncan Brothers (Bangladesh) Ltd
Dutch-Bangla Bank Limited
E
East Asia Tanneries Limited
East Coast Shipping Lines Ltd
Eastern Bank Limited
Eastern Housing Limited
Eastern Progressive Shoe Industries Limited
edotco Bangladesh Co Ltd
Elite International Limited
Elite Iron & Steel Industries Ltd
Emerging Credit Rating Ltd
Energypac Power Generation Ltd
Envoy Garments Limited
Eskayef Bangladesh Limited
Essential Drugs Company Limited
F
Federal Insurance Company Ltd
G
General Electric Company of Bangladesh Limited, The
GK Garments Limited
GlaxoSmithKline Bangladesh Ltd
Gonoshasthaya Pharmaceuticals Ltd
GrameenPhone Limited
Green Delta Securities Ltd
Green Delta Insurance Company Limited

H
H & H Company
Hives Engineering Limited
Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, The
Holcim Cement (Bangladesh) Limited
Hotel Sarina Ltd
HRC Shipping Ltd
HRC Syndicate Ltd
Huq and Company
I
IBCS-PRIMAX Software (Bangladesh) Ltd
ICE Retail Initiative Ltd
ICE Technologies Limited
Imtiyaz Husain Securities Limited
Industrial and Infrastructure Development Finance Co Ltd
IDLC Finance Limited
Impress Teleilm Ltd
Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Industrial Promotion and Development Company of Bangladesh Limited
Information Solutions Limited
Integrated Foods & Beverages Private Ltd
International Finance Investment and Commerce Bank Limited
International Leasing & Financial Services Limited
Investment Corporation of Bangladesh
J
Jamuna Oil Company Limited
Jamuna Resort Ltd
Janata Bank Limited
Janata Jute Mills Limited
Jaroms Consultants Limited
JF (Bangladesh) Limited
Joongbo Multimode Chemicals Limited
K
Karim Jute Mills Limited
Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Ltd
Karnaphuli Limited
Kay & Que (Bangladesh) Ltd
Kedarpur Tea Company Ltd
Khulna Power Co Ltd
Khulna Power Company Unit II Limited
Knit Asia Limited
Kumudini Welfare Trust of Bengal (Bangladesh) Limited

L
Lafarge Surma Cement Ltd
Lal Teer Livestock Limited
Latif Bawany Jute Mills Limited
Libra Infusions Limited
Linde Bangladesh Limited
Lungla (Sylhet) Tea Company Limited, The
M
Maersk Bangladesh Limited
Magnum Steel Industries Limited
Malek Spinning Mills Limited
Meenhar Sea Foods Limited
Meghna Jute Mills Limited
Meghna Petroleum Limited
Milnars Pumps Limited
Mirpur Ceramic Works Limited
MJ Abedin & Co
MM Ispahani Limited
Moazzem Knit & Dyeing Industries Limited
Mohsen Jute Mills Limited
Monno Ceramic Industries Limited
Monno Fabrics Limited
Mutual Food Products Limited
Mutual Trust Bank Limited
N
National Brokers Limited
National Housing Finance and Investments Ltd
National Tea Company Limited
Navana Limited
Navana Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Nestle Bangladesh Limited
New Dacca Industries Limited
New Zealand Dairy Products Bangladesh Ltd
Nirman International Limited
Nitol Insurance Company Ltd
Novartis (Bangladesh) Limited
Nuvista Pharma Limited
O
Octagon Fibres & Chemicals Ltd
Olympic Industries Limited
Omnichem Limited
Omnitrans International Limited

Opex Garments Limited
Orr, Dignam & Co
P
Paciic Bangladesh Telecom Ltd
Paciic Industries Limited
Paciic Motors Limited
Paciic Traders Limited
Padma Oil Company Limited
Paragon Ceramic Industries Ltd
Paragon Poultry Limited
Partex Jute Mills Ltd
Picard Bangladesh Limited
Pioneer Insurance Co Ltd
Pragati Insurance Limited
Pragati Life Insurance Limited
Premialex Plastics Limited
Prime Bank Limited
Prime Composite Mills Limited
Prime Steel Re-Rolling Mills Ltd
Powerpac-Mutiara Keraniganj Power Plant Limited
Pubali Bank Limited
Pubali Jute Mills Limited
Q
QC Shipping Limited
Quantum Consumer Solutions Limited
Quantum Pharmaceuticals Limited
R
Radiant Pharmaceuticals Ltd
Rahimafrooz Accumulators Ltd
Rahimafrooz Batteries Limited
Rahimafrooz Distribution Ltd
Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Ltd
Rahimafrooz Globatt Ltd
Rahman Rahman Huq
Raj Lanka Power Co Ltd
Rangamati Waterfront
Rangpur Foundry Limited
Rangs Limited
Rangs Properties Limited
Reckitt Benckiser (Bangladesh) Limited
Reliance Insurance Limited
Rema Tea Company Limited
Remfry & Son Limited

Renata Agro Industries Limited
Renata Limited
Robi Axiata Limited
Rupali Bank Limited
Ruposhi Bangla Hotel
S
Sadat Jute Industries Limited
Sajida Foundation
Samah Razor Blades Industries Limited
Sanoi Bangladesh Ltd
Sathgao Tea Estate
Sena Kalyan Sangstha
SF Ahmed & Co
Shaw Wallace Bangladesh Ltd
Sheltech (Pvt) Limited
Shinepukur Ceramics Limited
Shohagpur Textile Mills Limited
Sidko Limited
Siemens Bangladesh Limited
Singer Bangladesh Limited
Sinha Dyeing & Finishing Limited
Social Marketing Company
Soiltech International Limited
Sonali Bank Limited
Southeast Bank Limited
Square Food & Beverage Ltd
Square Fashions Limited
Square Hospitals Limited
Square Informatix Limited
Square Pharmaceuticals Limited
Square Textiles Limited
Square Toiletries Limited
Square Yarns Limited
Stainless Industrial Corporation Ltd
Standard Asiatic Oil Co Ltd
Standard Bank Limited
Standard Chartered Bank
Star Particle Board Mills Limited
Summit Bibiyana I Power Co Ltd
Summit Bibiyana II Power Co Ltd
Summit Communications Ltd
Summit Industrial & Mercantile Corporation (Pvt) Ltd
Summit Meghnaghat Power Co Ltd

Summit Narayanganj Power Ltd
Summit Power Ltd
Summit Oil & Shipping Co Limited
Supreme Pharmaceuticals Ltd
SW Multimedia Ltd
SW Shipping Limited
Syed Ishtiaq Ahmed & Associates
Syngenta Bangladesh Limited
T
Tea Holdings Limited
Technohaven Company Ltd
Telephone Shilpa Sangstha Ltd
Tetley ACI (Bangladesh) Ltd
Tradexcel Graphics Limited
Transcom Beverages Limited
Transcom Consumer Products Ltd
Transcom Electronics Limited
Transcom Limited
Transcom Technologies Limited
Transmarine Logistics Limited
Tricorp Limited
Trinco Limited
U
Unilever Bangladesh Ltd
United Insurance Company Limited
United Jute Mills Limited
United Leasing Company Limited
Uttara Bank Limited
W
Wilhelm G. Classen (Bangladesh) Ltd
W Rahman Jute Mills Limited
Wyeth-Ayerst International Inc
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
A
ACI HealthCare Limited
Ayna Broadcasting Corporation Ltd
Azim & Son (Pvt.) Ltd
B
Beximco Fashions Limited
I
IT Connect Ltd
K
Kushtia Cold Storage Limited
M
Maasranga Broadcasting Network Ltd
Maasranga Communications Ltd
S
Square Air Limited
Square Formulations Ltd
Square Herbal & Nutraceuticals Ltd
T
Transcraft Limited
Transcom Cables Limited
Transcom Foods Limited
Transcom Mobile Ltd
V
Vision Technologies Limited
Appendix - 19
Selected MESSAGES for the Chambers Diamond Jubilee Celebration (1904-1979)

Published in the Annual Report of 1978-1979
Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce & Industry (NCCI)
19 (a)
Kamruddin Ahmad
On the 16th of December 1971, Pakistan armed forces surrendered and War of Liberation came to
an end. Bangladesh emerged as a sovereign Peoples Republic, but I was still in the custody of the
Pakistan Army. The Jail Gate was opened on the 17th morning by the Muktibahini and I came out as
free citizen of a newly independent state.
On the 18 December 1971, I joined my Firm Orr, Dignam & Co, and within a week I received a
cable from Lord Incharge Group from London to accept its offer to become the President of Pakistan
Rivers Steamers Limited (later came to be known as BDRS). By the end of the year, I had to accept the
Chairmanship of Ralli (Bangladesh) Limited, Carew & Co. and the Directorship of Gladstone Wyllie,
Shaw Wallace, Industrial Promotion Services and Dalhousie Co. Ltd., I could appreciate the reason
behind those offers. They all wanted to take advantage of my detention by the Pakistan Army.
Shortly afterwards, the General Manager of PRS Mr A Qayyum indicated to me that he would
like to propose my name as the President of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry. I
hesitated irstly because I was inherently a professional man and had never anything to do with
Commerce & Industry except their legal parts, secondly I had never attended any Chamber meeting
though I joined their annual Dinners First contact of most of their members began since 1969-70
when I specialized in Management-Labour Relations Law.
In the Tripartite Standing Committee meeting and Tripartite Labour Conference in 1970, I was
chosen as the spokesman of the East Pakistan Employers Association in Karachi. Thus, I became the
President of the Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry and had to continue for three
consecutive years, the longest period one is allowed under the Chamber constitution to hold that post.
But, I did not invite either the Minister of Commerce or Industry to address the Chamber
Members during my time as I did not agree with their views. The Dacca Chamber of Commerce
under its almost permanent President Mr Motiur Rahman, another Minister took full advantage of
my policy but I must say I was fully supported by the Chamber members and faced the consequent
unhappy relationship with the Government in power. I knew it was risky but I stuck to my principle
and I paid the penalty which I never divulged to any one and kept up my appearance. During those
three years I never took advantage from the Chamber or the Government and I acted more as its
solicitor than as President.
I am, however, still extremely grateful to those members of the Chamber apart from the
Secretary of the Chamber who extended inancial assistance to Udayan School, which used the fund
to construct a big room for students of Nursery class.
Sd Kamruddin Ahmad
President (1972, 73, 74)
19 (b)
CEC Guthrie
It was a great privilege to be the President of the Chamber on two occasions i. e. for 1947-48 and
again in 1950-51.
After the end of world War-II, the Chamber was very nearly non-existant but with the
energetic endeavours the number of member irms was quickly increased. During my irst term of
ofice, Swrup Mukherjee was Acting Hony. Secretary. Then the late Gillespi Allen took over until Mr
Emorphopulas was installed as Secretary of the Chamber. He was followed by Mr Jack Garcia who
was Secretary until I retired in July 1956 (31.7.56 to be correct.)
The Chamber of Commerce had no ofice of its own and usually met in Narayanganj Club
Committee Room or in the Institute and thereafter in Dacca at the Secretarys residence.
My irst AGM was held in the institute and was a short meeting owing to the sudden death of a
prominent national leader.
During my second term of ofice the Chamber sent a delegation to Karachi which I had the
pleasure of leading to the Special Meeting held in the Sind Club. The AGM that year was addressed by
the Governor of East Pakistan.
The Chamber had many dealings with the Jute Board during the different period just after
partition in 1947 and their endeavours greatly beneited the export of Jute to Calcutta under export
bonus.
Sd CEC Guthrie,
President (1948, 1951)
19 (c)
M Mehdy Ispahani
I have had been associated with Dacca Narayanganj Chamber now Narayanganj Chamber of
Commerce and Industry for over thirty years. I have very pleasant memories of how closely the
Mercantile community worked amongst themselves and with other sectors of our society. Unlike
today, the Mercantile community was held in high esteem by the people and Government. People
rejoiced when an industry whether jute Mill or Cotton Mill was established.
When our advice was sought by Government, like today we placed national interest above our
community interest. Whether politicians or Civil servants, there was regular exchange of views with
us and this team work produced results for the good of the country.
Neither the politician or Civil servants nor the businessmen professed to know everything.
Loyalty and nationalism were not the monopoly of any one section and no one was challenged on
these two counts. Merchants and Industrialists were inducted by Government were entrusted with
nation building tasks. It is to the credit of our community that such tasks whether in the ield of
Commerce or Banking or Industry were performed with great devotion and zeal.
If we, as a nation, are to keep up the old spirit de corps, it would do well for all of us to emulate
the noble example set by the pioneers.
On this great occasion of the Diamond Jubilee celebration, may I wish the Narayanganj
Chamber of Commerce and Industry a long life and continued service to the people and the country.
Sd M Mehdy Ispahani,
President (1955, 1956, 1960)
19 (d)
A QAYYUM
I am very happy to learn that to mark the 75th year of its existence the Narayanganj Chamber of
Commerce and Industry is going to celebrate its Diamond Jubilee very shortly. I had the honour and
privilege of having been associated with this premier Chamber of the country for many years both as
a Member of the Executive Committee and, for one term in 1971, as its President. My experience
during my term of ofice as the President of the Chamber was indeed unique, for although a purely
non-political organisation and devoted entirely to furthering the cause of commerce and industry, it
was, perhaps, for the irst time in its entire history that in 1971 the Chamber book an unprecedented
decision of making a substantial donation for a political cause, thereby fully identifying itself with
the political aspirations of the people of this country. For several months immediately prior to the
Pak Army crackdown, this Chamber had also the rare privilege of having been constantly consulted
by the principal political party of that time to provide advice and guidance on all matters concerning
trade, commerce and industry.
The Narayanganj Chamber of Commerce and Industry has undoubtedly been playing a very
active role in serving the nation and I felicitate the Chamber on this happy occasion of its Diamond
Jubilee. I also hope that the collective endeavours of all members of this Chamber will be so directed
as will ensure a balanced and healthy growth of trade, commerce and industry. In this country and
thereby enrich our nation.
Sd/- A Qayuum
President (1971)
Appendix - 20
Names and Addresses of the Chamber Subscribers in 1949/

Founding Members in the New Phase (1949)
SL
Names
DP Fafallios
Merchant- Rally Brothers Ltd, EP Branch, Narayanganj
G Allan
Director- Sonakhunda Baling Co Ltd, Narayanganj
2
4
5
6
7
LK Nixon
Ismail GH, Ariff
Address and Descriptions of Subscribers
Managing Director- R Sims & Co Ltd, Narayanganj
Agent- Bengal Assam Steamship Co Ltd, Narayanganj
SW Alexander
Manager- Ludlow Pakistan Co Ltd, Narayanganj
JA Coldwell
Manager- M Sarkies &Son, Narayanganj
KP Matthews
Witness to the above:
Singature: GP Henwood
Join Agent- IGN & RSN Co Ltd, Narayanganj
Appendix - 21
Objectives of the Chember

1)
2)
3)
To promote and protect the trade, commerce and industry and manufactures of
Bangladesh and in particular, the trade, commerce, industry and manufactures
of Dhaka and Narayanganj.
To watch over and protect the general commercial and industrial interests of
Bangladesh or any part there of and the interests of persons engaged in trade,
commerce, industry or manufactures in Bangladesh and in particular in Dhaka
and Narayanganj.
To consider all questions connected with trade, commerce, industry and
manufactures.
4)
To collect and circulate statistics and other information relating to trade,

commerce, industry and manufactures.
6)
To adjust controversies between members of the Association.
5)
7)
8)
9)
To promote or oppose legislative and other measures affecting, trade,

commerce, industry and manufactures.
To arbitrate in the settlement of disputes arising of commercial transactions
between parties willing or agreeing to abide by the judgment and decision of
the Association.
To established just and equitable principles in trade.
To form a code or codes of practice to simplify and facilitate transaction of

business, industry.
10) To maintain uniformity in rules, regulations and users of trade.
11) To communicate with Chambers of Commerce and other mercantile and public
bodies throughout the world, and concert and promote measures for the
protection of trade, commerce, industry and manufactures and persons
engaged therein.
12) To acquire by purchase, taking on lease, or otherwise lands and buildings and
all other property, moveable and immoveable which the Association, for
purposes thereof, may, from time to time, think proper to acquire.
13) To sell, improve, manage, develop exchange, lease or let under lease, sublet,
mortgage, dispose of, turn to account or otherwise deal with, all or any part of
the property of the Association.
14) To construct upon any premises acquired for the purpose of the Association,
any building or buildings for the purposes of the Association and to alter, add
or remove any building upon such premises.
15) To borrow or raise any money required for the purposes of the Association
upon such terms and in such manner and on such securities, as may be
determined, and in particular by the issue of debentures changed upon all or
any of the property of the Association.
15a) To, devote apply or subscribe any money securities stocks or share s
bequeathed or made over to the Association to such charitable or benevolent
object, or for any public general or useful object or purpose as the donor may
direct or, where no such directions are given, as the Association may in General
Meeting from time to time determine.
15b) To establish and support, or aid in the establishment and support of

Association, Institutions, Funds, Trusts and conveniences calculated to beneit
employees or ex-employees of the Association or the dependents or
connections of such persons and to grant pensions and allowances.
16) To subscribe to, become a member of, and co-operate with any other
Association whether incorporated or not, whose objects are altogether or in
part similar to those of this Association such information as may be likely to
forward the objects of this Association.
17) To do all such other things as may be conducive to the extension of trade,
commerce, industry or manufactures, or incidental to the attainment of the
above objects or any of them.
Appendix - 22
PRESS RELEASES (SELECTIVE)

The Chamber issued a number of public statements or press releases, some jointly with other trade
bodies, to express its views, concerns and reactions on some of the nationally or internationally
important issues during last 35 years. They have started publishing public statement from 1979 at
the time of their Diamond Jubilee Celebration. Some selected statements or press releases are
reproduced below:
Appendix - 22 (1)
MCCI, DHAKA WELCOMES

THE GANGES WATER SHARING TREATY
(Reproduced from the Annual Report, For the Year ended 31 July 1997, MCCI, Dhaka, P. 43)
We welcome the recently concluded Bangladesh-India Water Sharing Treaty. It not only resolves an
issue of long outstanding differences between the two countries, but also marks a break-through in
the over-all relationship of the two countries which will obviously lead to further expansion of
co-operation in different areas, particularly, in trade and industry. In this perspective, we
compliment the Prime Ministers of the two countries and all others who have played key roles in the
conclusion of the treaty. Their achievement shows that given collective commitment, it is possible to
rise above the conines of narrow interests and contribute to the common welfare.
It is now our expectation that with the break-through in the water sharing issue, early
attention will be given to exploration of the areas of long-term economic co-operation between the
two countries in the same way regional co-operation is being importance throughout the world. Our
Chamber, along with representative trade bodies of India, have been stressing for expeditious
resolution of all tariff and non-tariff barriers, which now effect economic co-operation between the
two countries. We are convinced that an early break-through in the economic relationship between
the two countries, as well as amongst the countries in the sub-region, will contribute immensely to
the welfare of the common people. It is well established today that regional co-operation will be
major, if not central, feature of global economic scenario in the post-WTO agreement.
Dated, Dhaka
The 18 December, 1996
Sd/(Samson H Chowdhury)
President, MCCI, Dhaka
Appendix - 22 (2)
WEEKLY HOLIDAY
In September, 1982, the weekly holiday was suddenly changed by the then Government from Sunday
to Friday without any consultation with trade and industry. Since then, the changes has cost the
economy very dearly, as with nearly 30% of the economy being externalized and the main trading
partners observing Sundays as weekly holidays, the countrys importers and exporters have been
losing business transactions for two days in a week. Quite naturally, no economy can continue to
suffer in this manner without any valid justiication as the recess of 1.5 hours which was allowed in
Fridays, proved to be adequate for Jamma prayers.
We, therefore, urge upon the Government, on behalf of the countrys trade and industry, to
withdraw the imposition and let the business and industry take decisions according to their
business requirements. We are convinced that the sooner the weekly holiday is changed from Friday
to Sunday, it will prove to be beneicial to the economy.
Dated, Dhaka,
The 20 March, 1997
Sd/(Samson H. Chowdhury)
PRESIDENT
Metropolitan Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Dhaka
Sd/(Imtiyaz Husain)
CHAIRMAN
Dhaka Stock Exchange
Sd/(Mahbub Jamil)
PRESIDENT
Foreign Investors Chamber
of Commerce and Industry
Sd/(Mustafa Golam Quddus)
PRESIDENT
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers &
Exporters Association
Appendix - 22 (3)
THE BUDGET FOR 1998-99

(Reproduced from the Annual Report, For the Year ended 31 July 1998, MCCI, Dhaka, PP. 171-72)
The 1998-99 budget presented by the Finance Minister, Mr SAMS Kibria has many progressive
features, indicating an emphasis on iscal policy for economic growth rather than merely revenue
collection. We assume that the Finance Minister has targeted a growth rate of 6.3% of the FY
1998-99 as projected in the Fifth Five Year Plan. We congratulate the Finance Minister for having
accepted a fairly challenging target.
The Finance Minister held several pre-budget meetings with various chambers and
associations. We are pleased to see that many of the suggestions from the MCCI and others are
relected in the budget.
We welcome the various measures to boost industrial growth and export such a reduction of
duties of raw materials and intermediate goods, continuation of 25% support for textile exports,
concrete measures to address the problem of the sick industry, export support to jute industry,
incentive in agro-processing, leather, plastics and computer sector.
Also welcome are the measures to boost the capital market but it is hoped that the previously
allowed tax exemption up to Tk 30,000 divided income will continue for the beneit of the small
investors. Measures to improve public transport and contain environment pollution from two-stroke
engines are steps in the right direction. While reduction of corporate taxes on listed inancial
institutions is welcome, general reduction in corporate tax was expected. Imposition VAT on cement,
CI sheet and MS products as infrastructure building materials is counter productive for development
and should be reviewed.
A major area of concern in unabated revenue expenditure increase on unproductive heads
which leads to stagnant ADP contribution from domestic resources. We hope that the substantial
increase in allocation for the police will not be spent on manpower alone but also for much needed
improvement in the logistics so that the investment translates into an improvement in the
deteriorating law and order situation.
Also, iscal incentives to boost economic growth will be negated unless reforms are
strengthened and drainage of resources through SOEs is stop through privatization, and close watch
is kept on monetary policy and interest rates.
With increasing and large foreign investments in the oil, gas, and electricity sectors, there will
be huge and growing foreign exchange outlows in the coming years. Therefore, rapid export
earnings growth in badly needed, particularly in view of the already fragile reserves position. There
is not much in the budget to indicate a major export thrust, particularly in view of the loss in
competitiveness due to continued appreciation of the Taka against the South Asian and South East
Asian currencies. In particular, it is imperative that the existing exchange rate policy be reviewed to
directly address the issue of the competitiveness of our tradeables against Indian goods.
Dated, Dhaka.
June 12, 1998
Sd/(Laila Rahman Kabir)

PRESIDENT
MCCI, Dhaka
Appendix - 22 (4)
CONCERNED OVER THE FREQUENCY OF HARTALS

The trade and industry is quite concerned over the frequency of hartals which are being called.
Hartal may be fundamental right to express ones grievances but it is established that it seriously
affects the economy, particularly the smaller section of the business community. What is more
regrettable is that for enforcing hartal, widespread violence is being resorted, which provide
anti-social element with opportunities to indulge in looting, breaking of means of transportation,
etc. Quite naturally, such a trend will endanger the fragile socio-economic fabric of the country and
will pose a serious threat to the countrys future. There is no way for Bangladesh to survive in the
global market if the socio-political environment remains hostile to investment and economic
activities. This will be dangerous as a country with 30% unemployment cannot but seek investments
to create employment opportunities. In any case, hartal which has been so indiscriminately called
the recent years, no longer signiies anything except imposition of suffering on the people by sheer
force and violent means.
The trade and industry, therefore, expects all political parties will make an objective review if
hartal serves any purpose. It is our sincere expectation that an alternate means of expressing
political differences may be found which will not compromise on the future of the teeming millions
of a poor country like that of ours.
Dated, Dhaka,
November 30, 1998
Sd/(A. S. M. Quasem)
PRESIDENT
The Dhaka Chamber of
Commerce & Industry

PRESIDENT
Sd/(Rokia A Rahman)
PRESIDENT
Bangladesh Employers Association
Sd/(Mahbub Jamil)
PRESIDENT
PRESIDENT
MCCI, Dhaka
Sd/(Md. Shahjahan)
CHAIRMAN
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association
Appendix - 22 (5)
APPEAL TO POLITICAL PARTIES TO MAKE AN OBJECTIVE REVIEW

IF HARTAL SERVES ANY PURPOSE
Trade industry regrets that is repeated appeals in the last several years to political parties to make
an objective review if hartal serves any purpose, do not appear to have been given due consideration.
The trade and industry recognises that hartal is a fundamental right to express ones grievances. At
the same time, it expects that there will not be differences of opinion that hartal affects the economy,
particularly the smaller section of the business community and causes inexplicable sufferings to the
people. In a poor country like ours, dislocation of the economy and sufferings of the people cannot
strengthen any cause. In facts political programmes which do not take onto account the
representative feelings on such issues not only do not help in achieving their objectives but also
erode the conidence of the public on political parties which undertake them. In view of the critical
period through which our economy is passing due to the South East Asian economic crisis, we once
again appeal to all political parties to refrain from using hartals as the means of expressing political
differences at present and also in future, because of them harm the inlict on the economy.
Dated, Dhaka
July 06, 1998
Sd/(R. Maksud Khan)

PRESIDENT
The Dhaka Chamber of
Commerce & Industry
Sd/(Md. Shajahan)
CHAIRMAN
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association
PRESIDENT
Sd/(A. K. M. Shamsuddin)
PRESIDENT
Sd/(Laila Rahman Kabir)
PRESIDENT
MCCI, Dhaka
Sd/(Md. Golam Mostafa)
PRESIDENT
Bangladesh Foreign Foods
Appendix - 22 (6)
HIGH CONCERN OVER THE ISSUE OF WARRANTS OF ARRESTS

AND HARASSMENTS OF RESPECTED CITIZENS
The business community is deeply shocked and highly concerned over the issue of warrants of
arrests against Prof Rehman Sobhan, Mr M Sayeduzzaman, Mr Syed Manzur Elahi, Mrs Laila Rahman
Kabir and Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya. The warrants have been issued on the petition of the
Executive Chairman, Board of Investment, Mr Mahmudur Rahman, as a follow-up to the
controversies generated following his unusually harsh allegation that the Centre for Policy Dialogue
(CPD) provided ictitious information about the countrys economy.
In his petition Mr Mahmudur Rahman alleged that CPD at its Press Conference on 8th August
2006, had labelled him as a Razakar, thereby tarnishing his reputation. It is now evident from the TV
recordings which were extensively broadcast by various TV Channels on 9 August 2006 that CPD did
not make any allegation about Mr Mahmudur Rahman being a Razakar. Therefore, it is now clear that
the very premise on which the warrants were arrests were issued was totally baseless.
The entire situation arose out of the Executive Chairmans apparent attitude that he is the sole
custodian of correct information and data on investment position. It appears that since CPDs work
in compiling information and data relating to investment was not necessarily in tune with BoIs own
projections, it brought about the discourteous, unseemly and unacceptable accusatory remarks
about CPD.
It must be categorically stated that anyone including trade bodies of Bangladesh, have the right
to compile data and information and make analysis on any aspect of the countrys activities,
including its economy. Differences of views and opinions can and will exist in a free, pluralistic and
democratic society. Such differences can always be discussed and debated in a civilized manner.
Resorting to criminal proceedings which has resulted in arrest warrants against such eminent
citizens of the country, including economists, former ministers/ bureaucrats and leaders of trade
organizations are totally unwarranted and must be condemned in the strongest manner.
The business community fears that such attempts as harassment will only damage the
countrys image and investment climate. The business community appeals to the highest authority
of the government to intervene immediately and ensure that the countrys think-tanks, civil society
and trade organizations are not threatened and harassed by high-handed legal and administrative
mechanism.
Dated: 10 August 2007
Sd/(Mir Nasir Hossain)

President
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of
Commerce & Industry
Sd/(Hossain Khaled)
Acting President
The Dhaka Chamber

Sd/(Saifuzzaman Chowdhury)
President
Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Sd/(A. K. Azad)
President
Bangladesh Chamber of Industries
Sd/(Mahbubur Rahman)
President
ICC-Bangladesh
Sd/(Md. Fazlul Hoque)
President
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers
& Export Association
Sd/(M. Shamsul Alam)

Chairman
Bangladesh Insurance Association
Sd/(S. M. Fazlul Hoque)
President
Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers &
Sd/(Latifur Rahman)
President
Commerce & Industry, Dhaka
Sd/(O. R. Khan)
Vice President
Bangladesh Employers Federation
Appendix - 22 (7)
EXPECTATION OF PEACEFUL ELECTION

The economic stake at the forthcoming national election is far too great to be enumerated. Quite
naturally, the business community sincerely expects that the election will be held peacefully and will
provide a stable government to give leadership to economic progress which is required for the
countrys teeming millions. To ensure a peaceful environment during the election, the
administrative and security measures which have been taken are fairly exhaustive. We trust that the
Government machinery and the law enforcing agencies entrusted with the election process will
discharge their sacred duties fairly and courageously.
What is important is the goodwill of the political parties and more particularly, their
commitment to strengthening of the democratization process. The major political parties have
already committed themselves to peaceful election and its results. On behalf of the business
community, we sincerely hope that through graceful acceptance of election results, our political
parties will show to the world that the national aspirations for democracy and economic stability are
much above the party interests.
It is well-known that the countrys export earnings are under threat particularly due to the
recent turmoil in the international arena. The garments sector which is more threatened that at any
time before, has already reported loss of orders worth millions of U.S dollars. It falls on all political
parties to the looming economic crisis by ensuring peaceful environment during the election and
accepting the peoples verdict.
Dated, Dhaka.
29 September, 2001
Sd/(Benajir Ahmed)
President
The Dhaka Chamber
Sd/(Latifur Rahman)
President
Commerce & Industry, Dhaka
Sd/(Kutubuddin Ahmed)
President
Appendix - 22 (8)
MCCI, DHAKA CONGRATULATES THE CARETAKER GOVERNMENT

FOR IMPROVING THE OPERATIONS OF CHITTAGONG PORT
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) congratulates the Caretaker
Government for the measures it has taken to improve the operations of Chittagong Port. The
measures have already helped improve eficiency in cargo handling and privatization of the
countrys soon to be operational New Mooring Container Terminal. The Chittagong Port eficiency
featured consistently in the proposals, which our Chamber has been submitting to the Government
for improving the countrys economy. We discussed the issue with the Chief Adviser and then with
the Advisers in charge of the Ministers of Finance, Commerce in the recent meetings. We are grateful
that they have taken the requisite moves, which were pending for many years.
It may be recalled that Chittagong Port, which handles 80% of the countrys foreign trade,
became famous for its slow cargo handling, congestions and corruption. The turn-around time for
feeder vessels in Chittagong is on an average 10 days compared with 2 days in Bangkok, 1 day in
Singapore, 3 days in Mumbai and 5 days in Kolkata. The average cost of handling a 20 feet container
at the Chittagong Port is around 300% higher than those of other regional hub ports like Singapore,
Colombo, Mumbai and Bangkok. This is despite the fact that tariff Charges for Chittagong Port were
ixed as late as in October 1986. In addition to the higher cost, the level and quantum of unseen costs
were unbelievable high.
Now, a few measures have changed the entire situation and the Ports performance has
improved signiicantly. We are conident that these measures will go a long way not only to increase
the Ports eficiency but to improve the over-all competitiveness of the countrys economy.
We take this opportunity in re-emphasizing that privatization of the facilities of all services
should be done through transparent and open bidding process. The operation of the New Mooring
Container by private operators should also be decided in a transparent and fair international bidding
process.
We are conident that things can be improved further if the right type of private sector
operators are selected.
Dated: Dhaka,
The 13 March 2007.
Sd/(Latifur Rahman)
President
MCCI, Dhaka
Appendix - 22 (9)
AN APPEAL TO THE OPPOSITION PARTY TO WITHDRAWN THE HARTAL

At this time when the global economy is coming out of recession and Bangladesh is showing the
favorable signs of sustained high economic growth, policy continuity and stable political
environment is of crucial importance to achieve our socio-economic objectives as a nation.
The business community is gravely concerned about the confrontational politics that has
become a threat to our development potentials.
Our 40% annual export growth in the tandem with favorable yields in agriculture, and
moderate growth in manufacturing and serve industries has yielded a 6.7% growth in GDP in the
2010-2011 iscal year. Bangladesh achieved 5.7% of real GDP growth against 5% negative growth of
the global economy in 2008-2009 at the time of peak global recession. This trend continued in
2009-2010 and 6.1% real GDP growth was achieved. This shows the strength of our economy and
the validity of the business sector. The stable sovereign country ratings in consecutive two years
relect the conidence our economy is enjoying among the domestic and foreign investors.
Unfortunately, repeated calls for hartals by different interests groups do not allow business
activities to continue unobstructed at the pace necessary to engender the desired economic growth.
The business community still remembers the bleak days in the past when frequent hartals for
extended periods kept the economy stand-still. Hartals will make our economy decelerate, and our
markets will shift to other countries where more stable political climate exists. We need to avoid this
situation by all means.
Our Chamber would like to urge all parties and interest groups to stay away from all political
activities that are counter-productive. What our nation needs most at the time is commitment from
our politicians to the cause of the common people, and their pledge to make the nation free from
poverty and create employment opportunity for all.
Our politicians need to bear in mind that the objective of graduating to a middle income
country in near future is a common national objectives, and not the election pledge of any political
party. Similarly, poverty reduction programs are our national programs, and not the program of any
particular Government. In politics, there will be differences in opinions, but those differences must
not keep the livelihood of the people as hostage.
Our Chamber also acknowledges that there is no alternative to keeping the democratic process
alive and making the democratic institutions stronger as the key factor for inclusive socio-economic
growth. There are other means to settle the differences of opinions other than hartals and politics of
destruction and repression.
In this regard, we feel that the current political situation can be made more people-friendly
and business-friendly if the ruling and opposition parties demonstrate tolerance and are willing to
settle their differences through dialogues and negotiations.
We, appeal to all to abandon confrontations and start dialogues. It would save the countrys
economy and peoples well-being from dislocation. We urge upon all political parties to uphold the
countrys interest irst and refrain from such activities which seriously affects the economic growth
and prospect the country.
We, therefore, appeal to the opposition party to withdrawn the hartal called on the 22
September 2011 by four parties alliance in the greater interest of the nation.
Dated: Dhaka
The 21 September 2011
Sd/[Maj. Gen. Amjad Khan Chowdhury (Retd.)]

President
MCCI, Dhaka
Appendix - 22 (10)
BANKING COMPANIES BILL, 1991: REQUESTS TO SOLICIT PUBLIC OPINION

Banking Companies Bill, 1991 introduced in the parliament is a legislation which vitally affects the
countrys economy in general and the banking sector in particular. It contains some basic and
fundamental provisions which are contrary to the existing Companies Act and Banking Companies
Ordinance, 1962. The Chamber strongly feels that such an important legislation should be put up for
public opinion before it is discussed and approved by the Parliament. It is only through discussion
that the need for changes in the existing banking legislation can be correctly identiied.
On behalf of business community, the Chamber requests the Finance Minister to solicit public
opinion.
Dated, Dhaka
The 2 May, 1991
Vice-President
MCCI, Dhaka
Appendix - 23 (1)
Appendix - 23 (2)
Appendix - 24
Newspaper Supplementary of Diamond Jubilee
Daily Ittefaq, 20 June 1979
Appendix - 25
CREDITS
The idea of writing a book on the Chambers history was irst mooted by the president of the
Chamber (2011-2012), Maj Gen (Retd) Amjad Khan Chowdhury. Accordingly an Editorial Board was
formed by the Chamber Committee on 25 July 2011 to supervise the compilation of the history of the
Chamber as under:
Convener:
Members:
Ms Nihad Kabir, Vice President

Mr M Azizul Huq, Mr Habibullah N Karim, Mr Kamran T Rahman
Convener:
Members:
Mr Anis A Khan, Vice President

Mr Akhter Matin Chaudhury, FCA, Mr Habibullah N Karim, Mr Kamran T Rahman
With the retirement of Ms Nihad Kabir and Mr Habibullah N Karim from the Chamber Committee in
2012, the Editorial Board did not formally convene that year. The Editorial Board continued to
function again in 2013 when it was reconstituted as under:
At the recommendation of this Editorial Board, in February 2014, the Chamber commissioned Dr
Fakrul Alam, Professor of Department of English, the University of Dhaka and Dr Aksadul Alam,
Associate Professor of Department of History, the University of Dhaka to gather facts on the
Chambers past and write the history of the Chamber in a manner that would be a pleasure to read.
Dr Aksadul Alam was in charge of research into the past of the Chamber and putting the salient facts
and snippets in the form of an easy-to-read narrative while Dr Fakrul Alam was in charge of
sub-editing the book with a view to ensuring quality and consistency in the narrative. The authors
did a splendid job despite severe time constraints.
Under the leadership of the President of the Chamber (2013-2014), Ms Rokia Afzal Rahman, the
Chamber Committee formed a Publication Sub-Committee on 6 March 2014 to supervise the
publication works for the 110th anniversary of the Chamber, including the Chambers history, as
under:
Convener:
Members:
Mr Habibullah N Karim
Mr Tabith Awal, Mr Kamran T Rahman
Although this Publications Sub-Committee formally assumed the responsibilities pertaining to all
publication related affairs and subsumed the tasks hitherto looked after by the Editorial Board, the
President, Ms Rokia Afzal Rahman and members of the Committee, namely, Mr Anis A Khan, Vice
President, Mr Syed Tareque Md Ali, Mr Akhter Matin Chaudhury, FCA, and Mr Mamun Rashid
contributed generously towards this endeavor. Other members of the Chamber Committee also
helped with their considered views on the work in progress from time to time. Every effort was
made to ensure that the history book of the Chamber titled MCCI A Journey (1904-2014) is a
book worthy of the great legacy the Chamber represents. Despite the best of intentions of all who
were involved in this seminal undertaking there might still be errors and/or omissions that escaped
our attention. The Chamber would be most grateful if the readers inform the Chamber Secretariat of
any such lapses.
The Chamber regularly publishes a number of journals for many years now that are quite
well-received among the cognoscenti. However, this is the irst time the Chamber is coming out with
a compendium of such dimension and depth. An immense indebtedness is due to all who made this
book a reality.
MCCI
October 2014

BD MCCI A Journey 1904 To 2014

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MCCI : A JOURNEY

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MCCI : A Journey 1904-2014

Author : Aksadul Alam, PhD

Shehreen Ataur Khan

Copyrights : All copyrights belong to the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and

The initiative of publishing a history of the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and

Aksadul Alam, PhD

Evolution of the Chamber

The Chamber in 1971

MCCI, Dhaka: 1979-1999

MCCI, Dhaka: 2000-Present

The Move from Narayanganj to Dhaka

The Chamber Now: Organization

Management Structure of the Chamber

The Chamber Committee

The Chamber Secretariat

Secretary and Secretary-General

Secretarial Services to Other Bodies/ Associations

The Chamber Now: Functions

The Chamber and the Nation

Donations/Contributions as CSR at a Glance (Selective)

Conclusion: Into the Future

Selected Events/Activities (1904-2014)

: Archival Documents (Original)

: Archival Documents (Reproduced)

: Names of Members of Sub-Committees 2014

: List of Former Presidents with Names of Their Companies

: Speech by Mr AK Fazlul Haq, Governor, East Pakistan (1958)

: Speech by Mr Abdul Monem Khan, Governor, East Pakistan (1963)

: MCCI, Dhaka: Ofice-bearers (2014)

: MCCI, Dhaka: Member List (September 30, 2014)

: Names and Addresses of the Chamber Subscribers in 1949/

: Selected Messages for the Chambers Diamond Jubilee

: Newspaper Supplementary of Diamond Jubilee

: Objectives of the Chember

: Representatives (Phase Wise) to Various Committees and

Appendix 16(3) : Licence (1959)

: Alphabetic List of Honorary Secretaries/Assistant Secretaries/

Appendix 16(2) : Certiicate of Incorporation (1959)

: Sub-Committees (Year Wise)

Appendix 16(1) : Certiicate of Name Change (1979)

: Press Releases (Selective)

The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka (MCCI) is a

Bengal witnessed a fascinating commercial phase as a number of chambers were

namely, the Bengal National Chamber of Commerce, where business organisations or

Objectives, Vision and Mission

Be the leading voice serving responsible business

Recognize best practices that beneit business and society

The Metropolitan Chamber is thus seeking to provide services through which

See the detail objectives of the Chamber in the Appendix 21.

Participation in Chamber Committees and Project Groups that advance the

Possibility of participating in the Chamber on key committees and boards

Opportunity for maximum promotion and exhibition of members' products

Opportunities to advertise in the Chamber's publications and on its website.

Assistance to members in arranging one-on-one business meetings and

Possibility of participating and assisting in social programmes in which the