Country’s businessmen demanded a peaceful solution to the ongoing political deadlock for the sake of economy and business friendly environment.
They also threatened to announce vigorous movement if the political parties fail to reach a consensus to end the political stalemate and to ensure a business-friendly environment in the country.
Business leaders including Kazi Akram Uddin also demanded immediate release of former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo.
The appeal came at a white-flag demonstration held in front of the Federation Bhaban and other trade chambers and associations across the country from 11:30am to 12:30pm yesterday.
The programme was aimed at protesting the ongoing political violence, shutdowns, blockades that caused damages to businesses.
“Politicians have failed; the country cannot run this way,” said Salman F Rahman, Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina’s advisor on private sector.
It is the first step of our taking to the streets; we will sit with the directors of the apex trade body and take decision about the next course of action. I hope by the time the political parties will be able to come to a political consensus, said Salman.
Tax collection and remittance flow have declined and businessmen are becoming loan defaulters; they are now almost unable to pay wages of their workers, he added.
“We want peace; we want a peaceful environment in the country to run our businesses,” Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said during their protest programme carrying white flags in front of the FBCCI building at Motijheel.
Akram, also Awanu League’s advisory council member, said the programme launched by the trade body was aimed at destructive and confrontational politics.
“There is no environment in Bangladesh to do business as the buses, shops, business house, factories and even people are being set on fire,” said FBCCI former president AK Azad.
Bangladesh’s economy has reached the brink of destruction and people do not venture to come onto the street … we must have to get rid of such violent politics, said Mir Nasir Hossain, former president of the FBCCI.
Around 50 lakh businessmen including chamber and association leaders across the country took part in the white flag protests urging political parties to create business friendly environment, said a statement of the apex trade body.
The Chittagong businessmen too formed a human chain holding white flags yesterday urging the political parties to shun the path of anarchy for the sake of saving the economy of the country from being destroyed.
Leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), BKMEA (Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association), BTMA (Bangladesh Textile Mills Association) and other chambers and associations also joined the programme.