"For industrialisation of the country, the government should give loans to the small and medium enterprises (SME) at a smaller rate," said M A Momen, president of DCCI, after a meeting with the minister at the finance ministry.

The newly elected directors of the DCCI were also present.

The DCCI officials also urged Saifur to reinstate four-tier tariff structure to support import of the raw materials for export-oriented products, launch online income tax return system, stop abusing bonded warehouse facility and appoint a tax ombudsman to address tax-related cases.

Textiles, leather and leather goods, software, poultry, frozen food, imitation jewellery, agro-based products and other thrust sectors need long-term loan at 5 percent interest rate, DCCI president told reporters.

He said the other sectors should be given loans at seven percent interest rate.

"The government should reinstate four-tier tariff structure instead of three tiers to allow zero tariff import of technology, equipment and raw materials of the export-oriented industry," said M A Momen.

He said the four-tier structure could be 0, 5, 10 and 25 percent, which is now at 6, 13 and 25 percent.

The National Board of Revenue (NBR) in August last year slashed the import duty of the lowest tier to 6.0 percent from 7.5 percent, while that of intermediate tier to 13 percent from 15 percent. The import duty rate of the highest tier remains unchanged at 25 percent.

"We have also requested the minister to reinstate six-day working days for smooth loading and unloading of goods at the sea and land ports," said Sabur Khan, a director of DCCI.

The DCCI leaders told the minister to improve the infrastructure facilities for reducing the cost of doing business here.