Commerce Secretary stresses integrated, technology

Commerce Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Khan today underscored the need for making market monitoring more effective, integrated and technology-driven through stronger inter-agency cooperation, enhanced leadership skills and greater use of digital solutions.

He made the remarks while presiding over a workshop titled "Capacity Building for Team Leaders Engaged in Market Monitoring" held at the conference room of the Ministry of Commerce.

He noted that the primary challenge is not a lack of institutional capacity but ensuring effective coordination, mutual cooperation and prompt decision-making at the field level.

"Motivation is not merely a concept; it must be translated into practical action plans and implemented effectively on the ground. Exchanging experiences and adopting efficient operational methods can make the market management system more dynamic and responsive," he said.

Ataur Rahman Khan said market monitoring activities are conducted by the Ministry of Commerce and its subordinate Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, while several other ministries and government agencies are also involved in the process.

In reality, he said, ensuring market discipline is a shared responsibility of all relevant organisations, where timely field-level presence, coordinated action and responsible execution are the key strengths of the system.

Addressing the team leaders, he said leadership must be efficient, timely and result-oriented. Any lack of coordination in the field should be resolved quickly to ensure smooth implementation of monitoring activities.

He also stressed that every successful initiative undertaken by individual departments contributes to strengthening the overall market management system, adding that professionalism and a strong sense of responsibility among officials are essential for achieving sustainable results.

Highlighting Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir's plan to modernise and digitalise the country's market monitoring system, the commerce secretary said that, in line with the minister's directives, the government will soon undertake initiatives to develop a Power App, introduce an artificial intelligence (AI)-based model for the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), and further upgrade the existing market monitoring application to enhance its effectiveness.

He expressed hope that the planned technological interventions would significantly improve market surveillance and strengthen monitoring activities at the field level.

Additional Secretary (IIT) of the Ministry of Commerce Shibir Bichitra Barua attended the workshop as a special guest.

Acting Director General of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection Sebastian Rema, along with senior officials of the ministry and the directorate, also attended the programme.