MCCI\\\'s 110th anniversary celebration

The Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), the country's oldest chamber body having representation of both domestic and international businesses, did justice to its reputation as a disciplined and well-organised entity when it celebrated its founding anniversary through a number of events between October 17 and October 18, 2014 in Dhaka.  What did draw the attention and appreciation as well of all concerned was the selection of a keynote speaker for the main event of the celebration. The MCCI leadership went beyond the usual way and chose Dr. APJ Abul Kalam, a former president of India and a revered space scientist of global repute to adorn the occasion.

In his keynote speech delivered at the main interactive programme, organized on the second and final day of the MCCI's celebration of the 110th anniversary of its foundation, Dr. Kalam, explained to the leading businessmen, professionals and entrepreneurs how sustainable economic growth could help cut the threat of terrorism, a global concern these days. The former Indian president had rightly traced the root of terrorism to factors such as poverty and deprivation, which, he said, help build up frustration and desperation among the victims. The Western world does also know this fact. But it (the western world) has been attempting to stamp out terrorism declaring 'ruthless' war on it, instead of trying to address the causes of poverty and deprivation. This wrong approach has only helped the emergence of a greater number of pockets of terrorism across the world.

The sustainable economic growth and prosperity does also work wonder for an individual country. It helps a country achieve political stability, peace and tranquillity on the domestic turf. However, economic growth and prosperity cannot be achieved with such factors being left unaddressed. This was the message the visiting luminary from neighbouring India reminded the political leaders, professionals and businesses here. His wise words would bear meaning only if they try to translate those through their works. And if that happens, the MCCI would also have reasons to be happy that its efforts to celebrate its anniversary event on a grand scale have produced some positive results.

On its part, the MCCI did not also keep the events, marking the celebration, confined to usual business issues. It had also arranged an interactive session where the young Bangladeshi science students heard wise words from the man who had ascended the presidency of the world's largest democracy. There were reasons for the students to draw inspirations from his enlightening speech that was also laced with a few of his personal success stories. The students, who are used to listening to the useless political harangues from most of their leaders, were certainly impressed by the speech from a great scholar.

Finally, the 'centenary' awards that the MCCI distributed on the occasion among 20 business organisations and individuals in recognition of their contributions to various sectors of the economy, would surely encourage the members of the country's business community to a great extent. There is no denying that as a trade body the MCCI is held in high esteem. Any recognition coming from it does mean a lot to the business houses and individuals. It is expected that other trade bodies in the country would try to emulate the MCCI and add weight to what they do and preach for safeguarding the interests of the business community and the economy as a whole.