The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) might take an initiative to bring to a table the two former prime ministers and also chiefs of Awami League and BNP–Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia– if the two parties consider it positively.
“If the business community thinks such an initiative should be taken and the parties think our efforts will be valued, then we will move to bring the two leaders [Khaleda and Hasina] to a table for the sake of the country and its economy,” said President of the country’s apex business body Annisul Huq.
Talking to The Daily Star last night, he said they do not want to be criticised by making the move if the two parties object to it.
The FBCCI has already invited 25 to 30 leaders each from the two major parties to an iftar party tomorrow. Annisul Huq met AL acting President Zillur Rahman and BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain and invited them.
Both the leaders have accepted the invitation, he said.
“It will be a social gathering bringing leaders of the two parties together,” Annisul Huq said about the iftar party.
In reply to a question, he said they did not invite leaders of other parties to avoid controversy.
The FBCCI president said they want to go back to democracy and see a sustainable democratic order in the country. “In the absence of healthy relations between the two major parties, democracy can’t last. And without smooth transition of power, democracy may not be stable,” he said.
“As citizens of the country, we all have the right to appeal to our leaders [Hasina and Khaleda] to foster cooperation between them,” Annisul Huq said, adding they do not want to get involved in politics but they are naturally concerned about the country and its economy.
Categories: Bangla, Bangladesh, Bangladesh News, Bangladesh Politics


