Business environment in the area is deteriorating day by day but the government is not taking any initiative to address the problems, the traders, based at Lalbagh, told a meeting with Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).

DCCI President Fazle RM Hasan, who presided over the meeting, said present VAT structure is taking toll on small businesses in old Dhaka.

Businesspeople through the DCCI urged the government to reduce VAT on their businesses in the coming budget.

The traders also said narrow roads and lanes in the area are also hurting their business.

"We will meet the city mayor on June 11 with proposals to improve the condition of roads and drainage in old Dhaka, " the DCCI chief said.

Among others, AM Mubash-Shar, senior vice president of DCCI, M Abu Horaira, vice president of DCCI, and Abdus Salam, president of Lalbagh Thana Babosayee Oikya Jote (a platform of Lalbagh-based traders), spoke at the meeting.