Experts at a dialogue on Saturday blamed absence of proper effective market supervision, artificial crisis, low quality of products, extortion and insecurity in the transportation of goods for sudden and abnormal prices hike of some particular commodities.
They also alleged that the existing complexity in the import process, lack of storage facilities, distrust among the traders and consumers the consumers as well as the businesses sometimes have to suffer sudden price hike in the local market due to supply and demand crunch, especially in the essential commodities.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) organized the multi-stakeholders dialogue on consumer and business protection through market monitoring at DCCI office.
Administrator of Dhaka South City Corporation Md. Shahjahan Mia, Director General of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection Mohammed Alim Akhter Khan, Member of Bangladesh Competition Commission Dr. Md. Akhtaruzzaman Talukder and Member of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb were present as guests of honour.
Razeev H Chowdhury, Acting President of DCCI chaired the discussion.
He said that despite the continuous expansion of the country's economic activities, consumers, especially small and medium enterprises, are constantly facing challenges due to price manipulation, artificial crisis, low quality of products, complex regulations and various harassment in the market.
Director General of Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection Mohammed Alim Akhter Khan, said that due to the middlemen, the price of goods in the market sometimes rise in many cases and there is a need for concerted efforts by government agencies to control the market.
He said although the issue of effective market supervision is very important, but it is true that under his directorate in 64 Districts, there are 19 offices where there are no officers at all. So with limited workforce it is hard to monitor the big market.
Haji Abul Hashem, President, Sugar and Oil Traders Association requested the government to start closed sugar mills either under government’s initiative or in collaboration with the private sector, which will reduce our import dependence, increase fair competition in the market as well as create employment opportunities.
Md. Zakir Hossain, General Secretary, Bangladesh Super Market Owners’ Association said the market monitoring system in the country now is not adequate and also proposed to set up an effective monitoring cell with the direct coordination of the government and private sector representatives.
