"The World Bank should take such a move so that the US gives duty-free market access of products, which are allowed in by the European Union, Canada and Australia," MCCI President Tapan Chowdhury said at a meeting with WB Country Director Christine Wallich at the chamber conference room.

Tapan also urged the WB to force India into removing tariff and non-tariff barriers that hinder trade between the two countries.

"We brought this issue to the attention of the donors without any result," Tapan told the World Bank country director.

He said the WB should immediately introduce a programme under which internationally reputed marketing companies should organise buyer-seller meetings to help increase exports.

"Such a step will be helpful if the initiative can be extended to find scopes of joint collaboration in the information technology sector," the MCCI president said.

Wallich said Bangladesh performed better than other South Asian countries like India and Pakistan in socio-economic fields.

She said Bangladesh needs to improve its investment environment. "Customs and tax reforms are required to create a good investment climate," she added.

Wallich said it takes a long time to release goods from the Chittagong Port. "So, development of the port is required to attract foreign investors," she said.

Samson H Chowdhury, president of Bangladesh Association of Publicly Listed Companies (BAPLC), sought WB support to strengthen the central depository system to be introduced in December.

Anisuddowla, president of Bangladesh Employers' Federation, urged the WB to force the government into changing the age-old labour laws as per the recommendations of a committee seven years ago.

Rokia A Rahman, president of Women Entrepreneurs' Association (WEA), Bangladesh, said there are allegations that the government influences elections of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade body.

"For that reason, the FBCCI leaders cannot play a proper role for the wellbeing of the business community," Rokia said.

Secretary General of the MCCI CK Hyder hailed the government step that allowed some private sector members to attend a meeting of the parliamentary standing committee on finance ministry last week.

He urged the government to make similar arrangements in the meetings of other important ministries.