Businesses pay 'protection' money to politicians: Azad

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FE Report
Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President AK Azad Friday said the business community gives the politicians money for the safety of their lives and factories.
"We pay the politicians money out of fear. We give some politicians money to protect our factories, save our lives and ensure a trouble-free life. Also we give some politicians money voluntarily," he told a gathering of youths at the city's Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.
The leader of the apex trade body made his remarks while answering a question from a young delegate at the 2nd Youth Leadership Summit 2012, Leading Bangladesh into the Future : A Journey of Exploration that began Thursday. It was the second day of the three-day summit at a session on "Entrepreneurship: What Does It Take To Become A Successful Entrepreneur".
The discussion session was chaired by former SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and FBCCI president Annisul Huq. Geeteara Safiya Chowdhury, chairman, Adcomm Ltd, AK Azad and Salahuddin Kashem Khan, managing director of AK Khan and Company Ltd spoke at the session.
The young delegate wanted to know from the panel why the business community is patronising the politicians while urging the youths, not the politicians, for bringing about a change in the society.
Mr Azad said had the politicians been honest another two per cent growth in gross domestic product (GDP) could be achieved and the number of unemployed youths could have been less.
He said attitude of a politician changes when he becomes a lawmaker or a minister which earns them less respect from the people.
In reply to another question regarding the increasing influence of businesspeople on media sector, Mr Azad said he did his newspaper out of a dream to speak for the unfortunate, oppressed and disadvantaged section of the society and unveil some truth.
Citing two examples of the two successive governments' attitude towards media, he described how much he had suffered in doing so and he was about to leave the media business. He also mentioned about another business group that owns media and use it to shield their misdeeds.
Mr Azad emphasised that the youths should not lose heart for their failure to become the entrepreneurs rather they should work with honesty, determination and commitment to contribute to the society.
Annisul Huq said it is an open secret that businesses need to give influential politicians money to become influential themselves.
He expressed the hope that the mindset of the politicians may change by next 10 years as it is true that the economic development takes place during the democratic regimes.
He emphasized that the youths must dream about their future positions and train up themselves for it. Money is not an issue, the issue is how one handles it, he added.
Geeteara said most of the time seniors express doubt on the youths' ability for which they need to prove themselves with extra efforts, seriousness, farsightedness and foresightedness.
The pioneer woman entrepreneur said as an entrepreneur one needs to keep pace with the rest of the world by making himself knowledgeable and up to date.
She emphasized that the government should pay attention to generate IT people and set up skill development centres.
Mr Salahuddin Kashem Khan said the present generation of seniors can take the country to the middle-income level but the young generation or the future leaders can take the country to the next stage.
He stressed the need for integrity, resilience, honesty and commitment and determination to become an entrepreneur.
He said it is not always true that businesses are meant to make profit only but the dangers or risks go hand in hand which the entrepreneurs should face with resilience.
He said young generation must make themselves economically solvent first and after securing a position they must do something for the society which is an obligation for a successful businessman.