The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has urged the central bank to reduce interest rates to single digits in order to help local industries maintain competitiveness.

The apex trade body also requested the banking regulator to take necessary steps to control inflation, stabilise interest rates, ensure a steady supply of US dollars in the market, and extend assistance to entrepreneurs who have incurred foreign exchange losses.

Additionally, a demand was made for establishing a business-friendly environment, including providing small entrepreneurs and the agricultural sector with special loan facilities, ensuring timely clearance of export bills, and extending policy support to rehabilitate unintentional loan defaulters.

FBCCI Administrator Md Hafizur Rahman made these appeals during a meeting between a delegation of the trade body and Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur today at the central bank premises in Dhaka.

The governor noted that the central bank is working diligently to ensure discipline in the financial sector.

He also called for the support and cooperation of the business community to achieve sustainable economic development.