Jemal Inaishvili, president of the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) has urged the Bangladeshi politicians to resolve the ongoing political crisis very soon for the sake of ensuring an atmosphere suitable for trade and commerce.
“As business should be the top-most priority for any country, it is a must to ensure political stability for doing better business. Bangladesh is currently facing some political problems. I hope that the politician of the country will soon resolve the crisis, considering the economic consequences, said Jemal while addressing a discussion at a city hotel yesterday.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) organised the discussion on the occasion of the visit by the delegation of the Confederation of Asia Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) to Bangladesh.
Addressing the discussion, he also observed that Bangladesh had huge opportunity for investment especially in agriculture, energy, automobile and Pharmaceuticals sectors as labour-intensive industry is more attractive here in Bangladesh.
On the other hand, speaking as chief guest, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Gowher Rizvi said: “We have successfully managed political stability and economic growth. Though we are concerned about the prevailing violence in the country but it won’t be able to long last without the involvement of the countrymen.”
“I can assure you that all the attempts to hold back the country’s economic progress in the name of movement won’t be sustained any longer without popular support,’’ said Rizvi.
The adviser said, “Agricultural research innovated new seeds, which made us self reliant on foods and we are now exporting rice while the government has also been able to provide social safety net and basic health care to most of the countrymen.”
FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed invited the investors from CACCI members to invest in Bangladesh in diverse areas with new technologies in infrastructure, energy, power, jute and jute diversified products, diversified leather goods, plastic products, tourism and agro-processing industry as it offers the most liberal investment climate.
“We can also jointly organise an industrial or trade fair exclusively for CACCI members to facilitate exchange of information, products, business ideas, new technologies and services,” said Akram. He also observed that this maiden visit would greatly push forward the agenda of regional business integration for exploring the trade and investment opportunities in Bangladesh.
“Technological innovations are critical element for the sustainable growth. Bangladesh through it vision 2021 is moving forward to reach toward the dream of a digital Bangladesh when we will stand as a middle income country,” he added.
CACCI vice presidents Pradeep Kumar Shrestha said, “Bangladesh is a country, where so much economic growth is happening every year.”
CACCI Deputy Director-General Amador Honrado identified some role of CACCI such as proliferation of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), solve common problems, promote cooperation, play a greater role in economic growth, innovation in cooperation regional efforts, relationship with other international organisation, promotion of SME development, trade and investment expansion, training and capacity building, technology transfer, increased technology based investment and policy advocacy.
He was presenting a paper on the role of chambers of Commerce in Promoting Regional Trade and Investment Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific Region
FBCCI first vice president Monowara Hakim Ali, vice president M Helal Uddin, and Peter McMullin were present at the discussion.
The confederation of Asia Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) established in 1996 is a regional grouping of apex national chambers of commerce and industry, business association and business enterprises in Asia and the Western Pacific. CACCI serves to be a forum for promoting business within the region, increasing regional business interaction and enhancing regional economic growth.
