The British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) held a discussion meeting with The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP.

British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) Discusses Challenges and

Collaborative Opportunities with Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds MP

The British Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BBCCI) held a significant meeting

today with The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, at Hyde

Town Hall, Cheshire. The event, organised by Mizanur Rahman Mizan, President of the BBCCI

Northwest Region, was chaired by Abdul Malik-Ahad, General Secretary of the BBCCI Northwest

Region. The meeting focused on exploring solutions to the challenges faced by British Bangladeshi

businesses and fostering collaboration with the UK government.

Meeting Overview

The meeting began with Jonathan Reynolds MP welcoming all attendees to the discussion. He

expressed his commitment to meeting with local constituents and regional business leaders,

despite his busy schedule. “I am always happy to meet with local businesses and hear firsthand

about the challenges and opportunities they face,” said the Minister.

The Minister also took the opportunity to highlight the key priorities of the new government

relating to business and trade, which include the Small Business Plan, Industrial Strategy, Trade

Strategy, and Employment Rights. He stressed the importance of creating the right frameworks

and a conducive environment for businesses to thrive. While acknowledging the challenges, such

as the availability of funds and the long-term impacts of the pandemic, he lauded organisations

like BBCCI for their vital work. The Minister noted, "I admire the work being undertaken by BBCCI

members in addition to running their own businesses. Such organisations are crucial in helping

drive the local economy and community forward."

Key Agenda Items:

1. Welcome and Introductions:

Mizanur Rahman Mizan, President of BBCCI Northwest Region, and BBCCI Director, officially

welcomed the Minister and attendees. He provided an overview of the Chamber's work,

emphasising its pivotal role in fostering trade relations between the UK and Bangladesh and

supporting over 500 businesses across various sectors.

2. Key Challenges Facing the British Bangladeshi Business Community:

Zaki Mostufa, Press and Publicity Secretary of BBCCI, outlined the challenges faced by British

Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, including high levels of unemployment, particularly among young

people, barriers to accessing finance, and the structural and regulatory hurdles minority-

owned businesses encounter.

3. Solutions and Collaboration Opportunities:

Abdul Malik-Ahad, General Secretary, led the discussion on potential solutions. Key proposals

included job creation, enhanced mentorship programmes for entrepreneurs, and the need for

stronger ties between BBCCI, regional chambers, and the government to improve access to

funding and infrastructure support.

4. Aligning with Ministerial Priorities:

Lavlu Kader, Assistant Secretary, presented BBCCI’s alignment with the government’s key

priorities, including the promotion of innovation, driving regional economic growth, and

supporting the green economy. Lavlu emphasised BBCCI’s commitment to helping businesses

adopt innovative practices and contribute to regional growth efforts.

Discussion and Engagement

The Minister actively engaged with attendees, taking questions from BBCCI members and

welcoming the opportunity to explore solutions and collaborative efforts. He acknowledged the

challenges raised, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring the right frameworks

and policies are in place to address barriers to business, trade, and employment. The Minister also

discussed issues specific to small businesses, such as the impact of high utility costs, regulatory

complexities, and taxation. He emphasised that regional business and trade support bodies, as

well as local chambers, could play a crucial role in addressing the financial, knowledge, and

training needs of British Bangladeshi entrepreneurs.

Taking the Work Forward

Muzahid Khan DL, former General Secretary of BBCCI, outlined ideas for advancing the Chamber’s

work. He proposed forming working groups and leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial

Intelligence (AI) to drive innovation. He also suggested developing social enterprises for

sustainable business models and emphasised the need to support women entrepreneurs within

the British Bangladeshi community.

Ministerial Remarks and Closing

In his closing remarks, Jonathan Reynolds MP commended BBCCI for its proactive approach and

for serving as business role models within the community. He pledged the government's support

in addressing the challenges discussed during the meeting. "It is vital that we continue these

conversations and ensure we provide the right support to our local businesses. Together, we can

create the conditions for growth and innovation," the Minister stated.

The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with organisations like BBCCI

to tackle barriers to growth and ensure that British Bangladeshi businesses can thrive in today’s

economic environment. He emphasised the government's role in fostering a supportive business

environment and expressed optimism for future collaborations.

Next Steps

The BBCCI, with support from the Minister’s office, will continue the dialogue and develop

collaborative strategies with relevant government agencies, as well as local and regional trade

bodies and chambers. These efforts will focus on improving access to knowledge and finance,

expanding mentorship and training programmes, and integrating emerging technologies to drive

business growth within the British Bangladeshi community.