About · Milestones
Our Achievements
A chronicle of RCCI's contributions to regional development and business growth.
Since its establishment, RCCI has been instrumental in driving economic development, advocating for business interests, and fostering international partnerships. Here is a timeline of key milestones.
A free library for members set up
A meeting was held with local journalists about tree plantation to keep equilibrium of the environment, adopting an industrial policy for North Bengal, a transit route for transportation with Nepal, and refinancing distressed industries. A free library was set up for easy access to information related to export-import policy, VAT, tax and indenting business, and members were informed on August 8, 1993 through a press release.
Digital telephone exchange for Rajshahi
A demand was placed with the then telecommunication minister Mr. Tariqul Islam to introduce an international postal and telephone exchange system in Rajshahi. In response, a programme of ten thousand digital telephone connections was started that year.
Development memorandum to the Prime Minister
A memorandum was presented to the Honourable Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at the Rajshahi Circuit House with comprehensive proposals for regional development — including export-oriented silk industry, mango and litchi preservation, agro-based industries, garment and tannery units, an EPZ with Mongla port facilities, and upgrading Rajshahi Airport to international standard.
Divisional Business Summit organised
Successfully organised the Divisional Business Summit focusing on the commerce and business of the region — presenting the problems of industry, communication and silk agriculture. Titled "Commerce & Industry of Rajshahi & North Bengal," it hosted high-profile delegates including special representatives of the Prime Minister, the DCCI President, and the President & MD of Arab Bangladesh Bank as speakers.
Custom land ports and intercity trains protected
Successfully advocated against the National Board of Revenue's ban on importing consumer goods through the custom land ports of North Bengal, and against closing the Padma Intercity Express. As a result, the trains were restored to their previous schedule.
Training partnership with German Federation ZDH
The chamber entered into a contract with the German Federation of Small Business (ZDH) to run a joint training project for the modernisation of commerce and trade. Courses covered staff orientation, income tax, customs duties & VAT, book-keeping & accounting for SMEs, dairy farming and cattle treatment. The chamber also prevented the relocation of Bangladesh Shilpo Rin Sangstha and the Railway Sadar Daptar from Rajshahi.
Relief for the cold- and flood-stricken
The chamber cancelled its iftar party to help extremely cold-stricken people and distributed winter clothes across city slums, along with relief for flood-affected people in Bagha, Rajshahi. It also successfully advocated for maintaining internet services in Rajshahi.
Seven-day Rajshahi Trade Fair
With the help of ZDH, the chamber organised a seven-day "Rajshahi Trade Fair" with 28 stalls to publicise goods produced in Rajshahi. Inaugurated by the Minister of Primary and Mass Education, it drew massive popularity among the people of Rajshahi.
Official RCCI website launched
The official website of RCCI was launched, taking the chamber's services and information online for the first time.
Foundation of Chamber Bhaban laid
The foundation pillar of RCCI Chamber Bhaban was laid by Mr. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Honourable Commerce Minister, with Barrister Aminul Haq, Telecommunication Minister, as special guest. The total cost of the building was estimated at Tk 83,46,677.
Chamber Bhaban officially opened
The newly built Chamber Bhaban was officially launched, and on July 28, 2005 RCCI President Mr. Md. Lutfar Rahman inaugurated it with the board of directors. RCCI also participated in the China–Bangladesh Friendship Conference Center with a "Silk Fashion" stall.
Tk 600 crore investment assurance
The deputy director of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation assured an investment of Tk 600 crore in the agro, industry, education, communication and medical sectors of the Rajshahi region. A section of Women Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh (WEB) was opened with the chamber's help, organising a ten-day "Women Handicraft Fair."
Rajshahi honoured as the world's happiest city
The chamber paid tribute to the Honourable Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation for Rajshahi being declared the happiest city in the world according to the "World Happiness Survey" conducted by the London College of Economics.
Library & Research Cell established
A full library and research cell were set up on the basement floor of the Chamber Bhaban to maintain and make available data related to business, industry, banking and tax.
Bangladesh Trade Support Programme
Concluded a ten-day "Bangladesh Trade Support Programme" at the chamber conference room — an initiative of the Ministry of Commerce with financial assistance from the EU — featuring sessions on "Trade Opportunities and Barriers in the Rajshahi region" and a workshop on "Parliamentary Advocacy."