The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) along with other trade bodies will hold its scheduled countrywide demonstration today to press home its demand for the restoration of a business-friendly atmosphere, resolving the ongoing political deadlock.
The apex trade body, associations and all the businessmen across the country will form human chains in front of their respective organisations for 15 minutes from 12.00 noon to 12:15pm today, carrying the national flags.
Earlier, on February 1 the apex trade body in an emergency board meeting had decided to stage the countrywide demonstration on February 8, in protest against the ongoing political violence that disrupted supply chain system.
To join the demonstration, FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed distributed leaflets to the businessmen in the capital’s Motijheel area yesterday.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister AMA Muhith has said: “Business activities at the district-level are not functioning due to the ongoing blockade and hartals enforced by the BNP-led alliance.”
The minister came up with the statement while addressing a press conference at his secretariat office in the capital yesterday.
“There is no disruption in regular and business activities in Dhaka during the blockade,” he, however, claimed.
According to an estimate conducted by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), the country’s businesses incurred economic losses of Tk 36,445 crore during the first 16 days of the countrywide blockade and hartal programme enforced by BNP and its allies.
On the other hand, BGMEA estimate showed that 23 factories suffered losses of Tk139 crore due to the political unrest since January 6.
On December 15, 2013, the apex trade body held a white-flag demonstration with other trade chambers and associations across the country, demanding a peaceful solution to the then ongoing political deadlock for the sake of ensuring a business friendly environment in the country.
On January 28, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) held human chain, urging both the government and the opposition to ensure peaceful environment for the businesses, shunning the path of violence.
The leaders of BGMEA also submitted separate memorandums to both Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia with a request to end the ongoing political crises.