A number of senior diplomats of foreign countries in Dhaka have expressed concern over the ongoing political unrest, which has taken a heavy toll on the country’s economy.
They urged the political parties to take steps to end the crisis immediately.
US Ambassador Marcia Stephans Bloom Barnicat said the ongoing violence is worrisome and urged the parties to sit in dialogue to resolve the crisis.
“In this regard, civil society members and media can play a role,” she said at a meeting with the country’s apex trade body FBCCI at Sonargaon Hotel yesterday.
Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Benoît-Pierre Laramée said his country wants to see democracy, good governance and a peaceful political environment in Bangladesh.
He said violence must be halted and there should have peaceful political space for all the parties.
The Canadian envoy also talked about the duty-free market access to the country for the Bangladeshi products.
He said: “It’s time for Bangladesh to march forward in global trade and commerce.”
Russian Ambassador Alexander A. Nikolaev described the political unrest in Bangladesh as “very unfortunate.”
“The situation has been unstable for last two months. I don’t know who is responsible for this, but it’s the government duty to protect the country’s people and ensure its trade and commerce remain unaffected,” he said.
The ambassador also said it’s the government responsibility to establish internal political stability in the country.
Ambassador of the Republic of Korea Lee Yun-young hoped the current political violence would see an end through dialogue and reaching a consensus among the parties.
FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed said the major barrier towards implementation of development plans is normally natural disasters.
“But now we are facing man-made disasters like hartal and blockade, accompanied by destructive activities and terrorism.”
He strongly believed the deadlock would be resolved very soon and the economic activities would resume in full swing.
“We hope foreign countries and development partners will continue their support and cooperation to achieving economic development of the country,” said the chief of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry.