Dhaka: Experts at a high-level business session emphasized a whole-of-ecosystem approach, combining regulatory reforms, private investment, public-private dialogue, and technology adoption to address logistics challenges. They noted that Bangladesh's logistics sector is widely recognized as the backbone of its global trade.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the observations were made at the high-level business session titled 'Navigating the Future: The Evolving Landscape of Logistics in Bangladesh.' Hosted by H¥kon Arald Gulbrandsen, the Ambassador of Norway, at his residence, the session was jointly organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka, HSBC Bangladesh, and the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI).
The event brought together regulators, global operators, and economic experts to examine how Bangladesh can overcome persistent trade facilitation bottlenecks, reduce logistics costs, and enhance competitiveness as the country enters a new era of economic transformation. The session opened with welcome remarks from H¥kon Arald Gulbrandsen, followed by Tanveer Mohammad, President of NCCI and CCAO of Grameenphone, and Md Mahbub ur Rahman, CEO of HSBC Bangladesh.
M Masrur Reaz, Chairman and CEO of Policy Exchange Bangladesh, delivered the keynote presentation, joined by Rear Admiral Saleh Mohammad Moniruzzaman, Chairman of the Chittagong Port Authority, and Nikhil D. Lima, Managing Director of Maersk Bangladesh. Reaz provided a data-driven outlook on the sector's future, highlighting the risk Bangladesh faces in losing its competitive edge in global value chains without rapid reforms.
The discussion emphasized that Bangladesh currently handles over 90% of its trade through the Chittagong Port, placing immense pressure on a single gateway. While mega projects such as the Bay Terminal, Matarbari deep-sea port, and Mongla expansion are underway, industry leaders identified the need for improvements in customs clearance, infrastructure, and policy support.
Reaz estimated that a 1% reduction in transport costs could increase RMG exports by 7.4%. Additionally, reducing logistics costs by 25% through infrastructure and policy improvements could boost the country's exports by 20%. Ensuring a minimum speed of 40 km/hr on national highways could increase exports by 3.7%, while reducing dwell time by one day could boost national exports by over 7%.
H¥kon Arald Gulbrandsen shared insights, stating, 'As Bangladesh charts its path to middle-income status, an efficient logistics sector is not just a priority, it's a necessity. Norway stands ready to partner with Bangladesh, combining our maritime expertise, green technology, and digital innovation to support a sustainable, interconnected future.'
Tanveer Mohammad emphasized the urgency of reform, stating, 'For Bangladesh to sustain its growth momentum and attract high-quality investment, logistics must move from being a bottleneck to an enabler of trade. Nordic companies are eager to partner in this journey, building a logistics ecosystem that is competitive, resilient, and future-ready.'
Md Mahbub ur Rahman highlighted HSBC's readiness to connect synergies in the Bangladesh Nordic corridor, stating that logistics will remain crucial for competitiveness, dependent on national infrastructure reforms, selective privatization, and better multimodal integration. He noted the importance of bilateral trade agreements as the country moves towards LDC graduation.