Businesspeople at a meeting Thursday called upon the main political parties to immediately resolve the ongoing political crisis for the sake of the country's economy.
They also suggested imposing a ban on hartal forever and 'politics of violence' so that the economy could flourish smoothly.
They made the suggestions at the preparatory meeting held at the conference room of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) ahead of a sit-in programme of businessmen and people across the country on February 8.
FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed chaired the meeting titled "The country is above all: Save the country, save the economy: We want security of our lives and properties: We want business-friendly environment. Ban hartal-blockade by enacting laws."
He urged all the district chamber association and trade bodies' leaders to make the upcoming programme a success.
"We all love our country. We demand an immediate end to the ongoing political impasse. We want to save our businesses and economy," Mr Ahmed said.
Responding to a demand by businessmen, he said, "We had tried our best for dialogue between Awami League and BNP before the parliamentary elections last year. But it could not happen due to one's stubbornness."
"If we get response from Awami League president and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia to meet with them, then we will urge them to sit in dialogue," he said.
Earlier, the FBCCI along with trade bodies at an emergency meeting on February 1, 2015 decided that businessmen along with common people would stage a 15-minute sit-in across the country from 12:00 noon on February 8, demanding immediate solution to the ongoing political deadlock.
Against a backdrop of the volatile political situation in the country, the programme will be observed Sunday next as the BNP-led 20-party alliance has been enforcing a non-stop countrywide blockade since January 6, 2015 alongside hartal.
Mr Ahmed said their sit-in programme would be held in front of the FBCCI office as well as other district chamber and association offices. Businessmen will carry national flags and sing national anthem during the programme.
The FBCCI president will read out a memorandum during the programme.
"After the programme, we will try to meet President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, opposition leader Rawshan Ershad and BNP leader Khaleda Zia. We will hand over memorandums to them," Mr Ahmed said.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
