Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has urged the government to ensure power and gas connections for rapid industrialisation.
The general members of the apex trade body have also underscored the need for the country’s infrastructural development and banking sector reforms for overall industrialisation.
They came up with the pleas at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of FBCCI held at Officers’ Club in the city yesterday.
FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad presided over the meeting while its first Vice President M Shafiul Islam, Vice President Mahbubul Alam, FBCCI directors and its general members were also present.
The general members of the FBCCI also voiced their opinions on reform of trade bodies, establishment of technical training centers for building skilled manpower, development of female entrepreneurs and boost the investment.
The meeting also endorsed the FBCCI annual report and the audit report for the year 2014-15.
Addressing the AGM, FBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad said, “Country’s economy now stands at a strong position through joint initiative by government and the private sector.”
“The GDP has witnessed 6.51% growth while per capita income has stood at US$1,314 in 2014-15. Now the country have foreign currency reserve of $26.77bn,” he said.
The FBCCI has taken up different initiatives by coordinating with Prime Ministers’ Office, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries and Board of Investment, he said.
Matlub said, “The harassments and complexities related to revenue collection is being resolved through NBR-FBCCI revenue dialogues, already held twice, where the FBCCI members can directly tell the problems they faces to NBR members.”
Regarding the hike of trade license fees, he said: “The government has formed a revisit committee to rationalise the fee hike and it has extended the renewal deadline till December 31, 2015.”
“The matter is now at a final stage and waiting for approval from the minister. A gazette notification will be issued soon just after his approval,” he added.
Capacity of FBCCI will be increased further and general members will get modern facilities as the apex trade body is recruiting new members in the vacant posts of its secretariat, Matlub told the meeting.
