Bangladesh News

Business leaders of the country again voiced their concern over the ongoing political impasse and expressed dissatisfaction over the chief adviser’s dilly-dallying to find a peaceful solution to the deadlock.

In a joint statement yesterday, they also declared that they would have no choice but to declare demonstration programmes if the chief adviser (CA) of the caretaker government fails to resolve the problem shortly.

Noting that the prevailing stalemate would have a serious negative impact upon the country’s business activities, the business leaders said that it is the principle duty of the CA to take steps to end it immediately and save the whole nation from a continuous turmoil. “But unfortunately, we have yet to receive any positive direction from the chief adviser, also the president,” the statement said.

They also urged the political parties to withdraw such ‘dead end’ programmes considering the country’s growing economic activities.

The statement was released after a meeting of the top business leaders at the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) office.

Mir Nasir Hossain, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Mahbubur Rahman, president of International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICC-B), MA Momen, president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Latifur Rahman, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), SM Fazlul Haque, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), MA Awal, chairman of BTMA, SM Safiuzzaman, president of Bangladesh Oushad Shilpa Samity, AK Azad, president of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), Syed Manzur Elahi, president of Bank Association of Bangladesh and Bangladesh Employers Federation and Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), signed the statement.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Mir Nasir said that the business community is in a state of panic due to the political unrest during the last couple of weeks.

“It is true that we have no mechanism to end the present political deadlock. The government is the only authority to find a mechanism acceptable to all for avoiding further political unrest,” the FBCCI chief said.

Asked about the demonstration programme they are planning, he said they are yet to decide on the form of the programme. “But we are determined to do something for maintaining a peaceful business environment.”

Meanwhile, president of Bangladesh Economic Association Prof Quazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad told The Daily Star that a temporary economic loss could be accepted for greater and long-term benefits.

Agreeing that the current political unrest is damaging the country’s economy for the time being, he posed question “But why such political deadlock has been created?”

It is the responsibility of the CA, the interim caretaker government and the Election Commission to ensure a free and fair election, as it is the wish of the common people, he said.

“If the chief adviser and the chief election commissioner (CEC) have goodwill and work with conscience and morality, we can easily get rid of this confrontational politics and avoid economic losses,” Prof Kholiquzzaman said.

BGMEA’S SIT-IN PROGRAMME
The garments factory owners yesterday did not stage their scheduled sit-in on Bangabhaban premises. A decision in this regard will be taken after a meeting today.

On Sunday at a press conference, The BGMEA leaders gave a 12-hour ultimatum to the chief adviser to break the current political deadlock.