Hurt by the ongoing political turmoil, business leaders in Chittagong demanded exemption from loan interest and deferment of repaying instalments.
They were speaking at a views exchange meeting held in the port city yesterday.
“Many of the businesses in the port city will be bankrupt if they are forced to pay loan interests and instalments now,” said Mahabubul Alam, president of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
He said they are also facing difficulties in paying salaries of their employees.
“We are hurt by political unrest. Production in factories has slowed while shops remain closed.”
In these circumstances, CCCI president demanded interest-waiver and rescheduling of loans.
Former CCCI president Mirza Abu Mansur urged the finance minister and Bangladesh Bank governor to take steps in this regard.
“Most of businesses are incurring huge losses as political instability continues. In this situation, it is not possible to meet high interest rates of banks,” he said.
Besides, Shakhawat Hossain, general secretary of Export Oriented Ship Building Industry Association, alleged that businesses in Chittagong are being refused loans by the banks for the past four months.
“All the banks are saying loan proposals will be considered only after the national polls.”
In response to the demand of businesses, Shahabuddin Alam, vice chairman of Mercantile Bank, said exemption from loan interests is not possible, but time for paying instalments could be deferred by four months.
KM Mostafizur Rahman, deputy general manager of Bangladesh Bank in Chittagong, suggested the business community place and discuss the issue with finance minister, Bangladesh Bank governor and chairman of National Board of Revenue.
The meeting was also addressed by Sayad Jamal Ahmed, vice president of CCCI, Abdul Wahab, first vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters’ Association (BGMEA), Abdur Rab, general manager of Sonali Bank, and Mazharul Hoque Shah, a CCCI director.
