DSCC to issue trade licence without environment clearance: Taposh

Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh has said that businesses will soon not require environmental clearance and other permissions from different organisations to get trade licenses.

The mayor informed the matter at a press conference arranged by the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) on Thursday.

Responding to MCCI’s demand for trade licences with five-year validity, the mayor said it is not immediately possible due to VAT and AIT complications.

However, Taposh said he agrees with the demand and called it a “valid” one.

Earlier in the programme, MCCI President Md Saiful Islam demanded trade licenses be issued with multiple-year validity to ease doing business.

Mayor Taposh informed that some 40 percent of the people are willing to walk but they cannot because 60 percent of the city roads don’t have pedestrian facilities.

DSCC sometimes can’t implement plans on time due to bureaucratic complexities.

The mayor also informed that from June 22 onwards, DSCC has collected Tk 879 crore as taxes from traders and households.

“Though this amount is not sufficient against the number of businesses,” he said.