Speakers call for joint action to curb rising illegal, counterfeit goods

Speakers on Monday called for coordinated action by the government, businesses and consumers, along with strict law enforcement, to curb the spread of illegal and counterfeit goods in the market.
They noted that the illegal market is currently valued at around Tk40,000–50,000 crore, resulting in substantial revenue losses for the government.
The observations were made at a Kaler Kantho roundtable titled “Rampant Illegal Goods: Business Suffering, What Should Be Done?”, chaired by Kaler Kantho Editor Hasan Hafiz.
Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, adviser to the Ministry of Finance and Planning, attended the event as chief guest. Kaler Kantho Executive Editor Haider Ali delivered the welcome address, while Head of News Faruk Mehedy moderated the discussion.
Titumir said citizens must play a proactive role in demanding accountability. “Without public pressure, laws will not be enforced; accountability is essential to stopping illegal goods,” he said.
Md Firoz Uddin, additional secretary of the Ministry of Industries, said regulatory bodies such as the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI), Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection and the Consumers Association of Bangladesh require increased manpower and stronger coordination with law enforcement agencies.
Speakers highlighted issues such as under-invoicing, under-valuation and poor documentation at the import stage, which are exacerbating the problem. They also pointed to weak coordination among agencies and manpower shortages as key obstacles to effective enforcement.
Hasan Hafiz said the issue requires collective action, stressing that the government alone cannot resolve it and that the private sector must also take responsibility. Haider Ali said adulteration is widespread in food, medicines and cosmetics. “While media reports exist, meaningful change requires joint efforts,” he added.
Md Ashraful Islam, additional deputy inspector general (Crime-Metro) of Bangladesh Police, said adulteration has become a persistent challenge, noting that counterfeit methods have evolved with technology despite existing laws.
Saiful Islam, executive director of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI), said counterfeit medicines are particularly prevalent in rural and border areas, with an estimated market size of around Tk1,500 crore. He added that low prices drive vulnerable consumers to purchase such products, while many pharmacies operate without adequate oversight.
Masum Arefin, director (Complaints and Investigation) of the Directorate of National Consumer Rights Protection, said market monitoring and supply chain oversight are crucial. He urged consumers to retain receipts and verify quality marks to support legal action.
Md Jahangir Hossain, director General of the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks, warned that counterfeit food and medicines pose serious public health risks.
Sheikh Shabab Ahmed, group head of Corporate Affairs and Legal at Abul Khair Group, said that although laws exist, enforcement remains weak. He called for fast-track punitive measures and stronger vigilance. Md Saiful Islam, director (CM) of BSTI, said surveillance, product testing and digital tracking systems are being strengthened.
Zahid Rahman, media and communication consultant at BAPI, stressed the importance of awareness-building, 

calling for nationwide campaigns to educate consumers. Kamruzzaman Kamal, director of marketing at PRAN-RFL Group, said counterfeit goods threaten both consumer safety and trust. “Technology-based monitoring and stronger supply chains are essential,” he added.
Ahsan Habib, president of the Conscious Consumers Society (CCS), said lack of awareness is worsening the situation and stressed the need to empower consumers and ensure accountability.
Anwarul Amin, head of corporate affairs at Arla Foods Bangladesh Ltd, said counterfeit products damage brand reputation and called for zero tolerance and regular monitoring.
Faruk Mehedy, head of news at Kaler Kantho, described the issue as a national crisis. “A unified roadmap is needed to dismantle syndicates,” he said.
Masud Rumi, chief business editor of Kaler Kantho, said businesses are losing market share and urged authorities to take decisive action to protect investment and consumers. Speakers warned that counterfeit goods are deceiving consumers and posing serious risks to public health, particularly in rural areas. Essential fake products, including medicines, are spreading rapidly and remain difficult to detect.
They further said weak enforcement and lenient penalties are encouraging illegal trade. They called for stricter measures, including licence cancellation, seizure and destruction of counterfeit goods, as well as the formation of specialised enforcement teams for patent and trademark protection.