The restaurant owners in the country have demanded the introduction of a ‘one-stop service’ to simplify the process of obtaining approvals for running restaurant businesses.

They made the demand at a press conference held on Sunday at the Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) auditorium, where leaders of the Restaurant Owners Association presented an 11-point set of demands.

Their demands include swift implementation of a one-stop service for restaurant operations, maintaining tax and VAT rates at a reasonable level in the upcoming fiscal budget while expanding their scope, an immediate resolution to the LPG crisis, and the resumption of new pipeline gas connections.

They also called for an end to what they described as harassment of restaurant owners in the name of inspections by various government agencies, and demanded inclusion of business representatives during such drives. They further urged an end to alleged harassment by RAJUK, factory inspection authorities, fire service, and environmental departments in the restaurant sector.

Other demands include stopping corporate dominance in the restaurant industry, declaring the sector as an industry, and resuming the issuance and renewal of trade licenses by Dhaka North and South City Corporations.

They also called for an end to alleged extortion, harassment, and militant activities against owners under the guise of trade unions in the restaurant sector.

The association further demanded permission for beef imports and government-led training programs for unskilled workers in the restaurant industry.

Speaking at the event, the association’s Secretary General Imran Hasan said, “The restaurant sector has still not recovered from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, rising fuel prices have increased production costs, further weakening the market system.”

He added, “In the current market situation, uncontrolled price hikes have pushed essential commodities beyond the purchasing power of ordinary consumers. This has had a direct and severe impact on the country’s restaurant sector.”

Imran Hasan also said, “Due to a complicated licensing process, multiple approvals from different departments, and lack of coordination, ensuring safe food has become difficult.”

“To open a restaurant, around 10 to 12 certificates are required, which take 2 to 6 months to obtain. This increases costs and suffering, and hinders sector development. While obtaining or renewing these certificates, business owners face bureaucratic complications and harassment from government offices,” he said.

He further noted, “Recently, due to excessive corporate expansion in the sector, small and medium entrepreneurs are struggling to survive.”

During the press conference, others leaders form the organization were present.