Business leaders from various sectors on Wednesday said that almost all trade organizations’ bodies were unelected and politicized, which is why they served political purposes, not businesses.
Therefore, they demanded dissolving the current committees of all trade associations and chambers, including the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI), organizing new elections, and reforming rules and regulations.
They revealed this at a business conference in the capital, organized by a united front of business communities in the country.
International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Bangladesh president and veteran business leader Mahbubur Rahman presided over the program.
In his speech, Mahbubur said: “Our trade organizations were not ever straight line. But we will try to reduce politicization as much as possible. We will organize a business review meeting, where every sector representative can speak. We will prefer written speech.”
Mahbub believed that conspiracy was still going on, and everyone’s responsibility was to protect the revaluations.
“I fear as today is August 14, but still law and order has been restored. We saw someone trying to create a conspiracy by using minorities. I think a group is trying to create a counter-revolution. So, we have to be aware to protect the August 5 revolution as we achieved this by sacrificing lives.”
During the program, most of the businesses spoke about the reformation of trade organizations and urged government crackdown against corruption.
They also put faith in the interim government led by Nobel Laureate Prof Muhammad Yunus.
They also deeply remembered the martyrs of the revelations, held from July 1 to August 5, and gave special thanks to the students and mass people, who helped to achieve the ‘second independence’.
BNP vice chairman and FBCCI former president Abdul Awal Mintoo, however, said that only an elected government can develop a country, and that is why he demanded a national election within a short time to hand over the power.
“Any country could not achieve development without an elected government. Bangladesh is facing several crises. Our demand is an election in a short time to bring back democracy.”
He said that business organizations’ rules of business create pressure on the government and ensure facilities, and added: “As you [apex bodies’ leaders] failed to do this, you should resign. We are in the worst position in terms of the economy.
“GDP growth is a negative trend, and food inflation is over 16 per cent. This situation puts low-income people into hot water.”
He urged the interim government to appoint a commerce adviser to boost business.
FBCCI former president and Ha-meem Group chairman AK Azad expressed his concern over the export sector, and said: “Twenty percent of our orders shifted to our competitor countries as Bangladesh’s situation is still out of control.”
“During the protest, many factories were vandalized. Many are yet to resume production. Our buyers are in fear. We told them our army was helping us to ship export-related goods. But they cannot keep faith. The situation is overcome as soon as possible, especially law enforcement issues.”
Former Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Ashraf Ahmed said: “The priority should be to restore law and order, and create a good business atmosphere.”
Chapainawabganj Chamber of Commerce & Industry President Abdul Wahid said: “Yunus [chief adviser]-led government will reform all sectors, and bring back democracy everywhere. We demand these people be punished, who destroyed the country and its economy.
FBCCI former director Abdul Haque demanded the release of a white paper over the embezzling of the banking sector.
DCCI former president Rizwan Rahman said: “There are 80 board of directors in FBCCI. Is it realistic? If a single director took 5 minutes, over 5 hours needed to conclude a meeting. This number should be reduced. First, reform yourself, then speak to others.”
