Timeline of Major Achievements

Since its establishment, RCCI has been instrumental in driving economic development, advocating for business interests, and fostering international partnerships. Here's a comprehensive timeline of our key achievements and contributions.

July 12, 1993
A meeting was held with local journalists about tree plantation to keep equilibrium of environment, adopting different industrial policy for north Bengal, transit route for transportation with Nepal, refinancing to run the distressed industries. A free library was set up for easy access of information related to export-import policy, VAT, tax, indenting business and informed the members in August 8, 1993 through a press release.
November 11, 1993
A demand was given to the then telecommunication minister Mr. Tariqul Islam to introduce international postal and telephone exchange system in Rajshahi and to the response of the demand, program of ten thousands digital telephone connection had been started in that year.
January 2-3, 1994
A memorandum was given to the honorable Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia at circuit house in Rajshahi with comprehensive proposals for regional development:
  • To build silk industries as export-oriented
  • Reserving fruits like mangoes & litchis
  • To build up agro-based industries by setting up exportable processing industries with laboratory facilities
  • Help to set up garment and tannery industries in Rajshahi
  • Setting up cement industries to use raw materials of Jaypurhat
  • Advancing the task of drawing solid stoned coal from mines of north Bengal
  • Taking necessary steps to supply gas for setting up industries
  • Setting up EPZ, providing export-import facilities through Mongla port
  • Converting Rajshahi Airport as international airport with cargo services
  • Formulating special industries policy for North Bengal
February 5, 1994
Successfully organized the Divisional Business Summit focusing commerce and business of the region, specially presenting the problems of industry, communication, silk agriculture etc. The business meeting was entitled "Commerce & Industry of Rajshahi & North Bengal" with high-profile dignitaries including special delegates from the honorable prime minister, DCCI president, and Arab Bangladesh Bank president & MD as speakers.
1995
Successfully advocated against National Board of Revenue (NBR) ban on importing consumer goods through custom land ports of North Bengal. Also claimed to cancel the decision to close Padma intercity express and revised Rajshahi-Khulna intercity schedule. As a result, the trains were restored to their previous schedule.
July 1996
The chamber went into contract with German Federation of Small Business (ZDH) to operate a joint training project for modernization of commerce & trade, poultry etc. Various training courses were conducted including staff orientation, income tax, customs duties & VAT, book keeping & accounting for SME, dairy farming, and cattle treatment. Successfully prevented the government from terminating Bangladesh Shilpo Rin Sangstha and Railway Sadar Daptar from Rajshahi.
January 13, 1998
The chamber cancelled its iftar party to help extremely cold-stricken people and distributed winter clothes to different slums in the city. Also distributed relief to flood-affected people in Bagha, Rajshahi. Successfully advocated for maintaining internet services in Rajshahi through press conferences and meetings with the honorable telecommunication minister.
March 21-27, 1998
With the help of ZDH, organized a seven-days long "Rajshahi Trade Fair" with 28 stalls for publicity of goods produced in Rajshahi. The fair was inaugurated by the honorable minister of primary and mass education and got massive popularity among the people of Rajshahi.
March 18, 2003
Official website of RCCI as www.rcci.bd.com was launched.
April 25, 2003
Foundation pillar of RCCI Chamber Bhaban was built by Mr. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, honorable commerce minister. Barrister Aminul Haq, honorable telecommunication minister was the special guest. The total cost for building the bhaban was calculated as Tk. 83,46,677.
March 27, 2005
The newly built Chamber Bhaban was officially launched and on July 28, 2005, RCCI president Mr. Md. Lutfar Rahman inaugurated the chamber bhaban along with the board of directors. RCCI also participated in "China Bangladesh Moitree Conference Center" with a "Silk Fashion" stall.
August 18, 2005
The deputy director of Japan Bank for International Co-operation assured to invest Tk. 600 crore in agro, industry, education, communication and medical sector in Rajshahi region. A section of WEB (Women Entrepreneurs of Bangladesh) was opened with chamber's help, organizing "Women Handicraft Fair" for ten days.
2006
The chamber paid tribute to the honorable Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation for Rajshahi being declared as the happiest city in the world according to the "World Happiness Survey" conducted by "London College of Economics".
January 13, 2008
A full library and research cell were set up at the basement floor of the Chamber bhaban to maintain and make available data information related to business, industry, banking and tax.
August 10, 2008
Successfully concluded a 10-days long "Bangladesh Trade Support Programme" at chamber conference room with the initiative of the ministry of commerce, financial assistance by EU and under the full support of RCCI. The program included speeches on "Trade Opportunities and Barriers in Rajshahi region" and workshops on "Parliamentary Advocacy" organized by International Republican Institute.