Businesses set economic agenda for next elected govt today

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FE Report
More than a thousand leading businessmen meet in the city today (Saturday) to set a 100-day programme for the next elected government to establish friendly business environment in the country.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) is organising the business conference at a city hotel. The 100-day programme will contain macroeconomic agenda.
FBCCI president Annisul Huq told the FE that the apex trade body will finalise recommendations, sent by different chamber bodies earlier, on further improvement of business environment.
"We have received hundreds of recommendations from our fellow members for the business growth and trouble-free atmosphere, but we will summarise and prioritise those at Saturday's meeting," Annisul added.
He said the recommendations should be implemented by the next government in 100 days to ensure a better scope for the business and face global challenges.
The country's leading businessmen, including president of International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman, former caretaker government adviser Syed Manjur Elahi, Chairman of Square Group Samson H Chowdhury, former chiefs of the FBCCI Yousuf Abdullah Harun, Abdul Awal Mintoo and Mir Nasir Hossian will join the Saturday's gathering as guests of honour.
Besides, presidents of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Anwar-Ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Md Fazlul Hoque and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed will also join in the programme.
Representatives from country's 76 chambers and joint chambers, around 370 associations and experts will also attend the meeting, FBCCI said.
Annisul said: "We want to give priority on eight to ten sectors that need government attention for the interest of country's business and the economy."
He said the conference will deal with the aspects which the business community wants most from the next government.
"We are the largest community having manpower of over 35 million. We want a peaceful environment like free from hartal and street demonstration to do our business," he added.
The FBCCI also organised a business conference in the port city November 3 and around one thousand businessmen from Chittagong and Sylhet joined the programme.