Mohd. Khalid Abu Naser
Abstract
This article advocates for the urgent strengthening of the Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC) to foster a more competitive, transparent, and inclusive market economy. Despite being established in 2016, the BCC has not yet realized its full potential due to institutional weaknesses, limited enforcement capacity, and low awareness among stakeholders.
The article highlights the substantial hidden costs of anti-competitive practices in Bangladeshestimated at 2–5% of GDP annuallyand their impact on consumers, SME’s, innovation, and public trust. Framed within Bangladesh’s national interest and development goals, the piece presents five-pillar advocacy plan targeting policymakers, the BCC regime, media, academia, and the conscious public.
The plan emphasizes institutional reform, public engagement, media mobilization, and inter-agency collaboration. Ultimately, the article argues that building a stronger, more proactive competition regime is not only a legal necessity but also a strategic imperative for achieving sustainable economic growth and good governance.
Introduction: A hidden cost in our economy
In the last decade, Bangladesh has made remarkable strides in economic development, poverty reduction, and digital transformation. Yet, one critical area remains underutilized: market competition. Since its establishment in 2016, the Bangladesh Competition Commission (BCC) has not been able to play its full role in protecting consumers and ensuring fair play in the market.
In a country striving to become an upper middle-income nation by 2031, the absence of a vibrant competition culture is not just a legal gapit is an economic liability.
Why competition matters for Bangladesh
A competitive economy isn’t a luxuryit’s a necessity. Here’s why:
>> Consumers pay less when companies cannot collude to raise prices;
>> Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) get a level playing field to grow;
>> Innovation accelerates when firms must constantly improve;
>> Investors feel confident when the market operates fairly; and
>> Corruption declines when monopolies and cronyism are dismantled.
These are not theoretical ideals. These are real, measurable benefits that Bangladesh is missing out on.
The hidden cost of Anti-competitive practices
Anti-competitive practices such as price-fixing, market dominance, and collusion exist in key sectors like food commodities,transport,telecom, andcement. The consequences are severe:
>> Consumers overpay-often by 20–30% more than they should;
>> Startups are stifled by larger firms using unfair tactics;
>> Innovation stalls, leading to poor service and low productivity; and
>> Public procurement becomes inefficient, costing taxpayers billions.
According to international studies, developing countries lose 2–5% of their GDP to such practices. For Bangladesh, that’s a staggering BDT 1 to 2.5 lakh crore lost annuallya silent drain on our economy.
The role of BCCand why it must evolve
The Bangladesh Competition Commission was created to prevent these harms. But so far, its efforts have been limited by:
>> Lack of skilled personnel and institutional capacity;
>> Weak awareness among policymakers and businesses;
>> Inadequate public engagement; and
>> Limited enforcement actions.
This isn’t just BCC’s challengeit’s a national challenge. We all have a stake in ensuring markets work fairly.
A national advocacy plan: 5 Key pillars
To awaken our institutions and society to the value of competition, we propose the following strategic actions:
1. Engage policymakers and parliament
>> Organize briefings for MPs and ministries (Chief Advisors and Advisors) to explain how competition affects economic goals.
>> Push for greater budgetary and legal support for BCC.
2. Empower BCC as a Regulator
>> Enhance staff training through global partnerships;
>> Digitize market monitoring and enforcement tools; and
>> Set clear annual goals and publish impact reports.
3. Activate media and new media
>> Use television, print, and social media campaigns to explain competition issues in everyday language.
>> Collaborate with journalists to cover real stories of market abuse.
4. Mobilize academia and think tanks
>> Promote research on market dynamics and competition law.
>> Include competition policy in university economics and business curricula.
5. Involve the public
>> Launch consumer awareness campaigns.
>> Encourage public complaints and whistleblower mechanisms.
In the national interest
Strengthening competition is not just a legal reformit is a national economic strategy. A strong BCC means:
>> Lower prices for millions of people;
>> Fairer chances for entrepreneurs;
>> Less corruption in public and private sectors; and
>> A more dynamic and resilient economy.
Bangladesh has too much potential to let unfair markets hold it back.
Conclusion: The time is now
As we stand at the threshold of becoming a developed nation, the question is not whether we can afford to prioritize competitionit’s whether we can afford not to.
We urge all stakeholders’policymakers, regulators, media, academia, and citizensto support a stronger, smarter, and more proactive Competition Commission of Bangladesh. Because fair markets are not just good economics,they are a cornerstone of national progress.
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