Chambers deplore economic cost of political unrest

FBCCI among business bodies calling for an amicable solution to poll disputes, end to transport blockades


JASIM UDDIN HAROON & ISMAIL HOSSAIN | Published: November 15, 2023 00:01:38


Chambers deplore economic cost of political unrest


Leading trade-promotion organisations deplore that the prolonged political impasse over polls is weighing on trade and economy, thus undermining Bangladesh's unfolding economic prospects.
According to them, the blockade programmes are disrupting the supply chains largely by way of affecting movement of goods and raw materials from one place to another.
If such a political situation persists, it would cast adverse impacts on most of the economic sectors: manufacturing, and services, especially transportation and hospitality sectors.
Besides, the standoff will pose a threat to overall investments_- domestic and foreign direct investment or FDI.
As this specter looms large-now that the election schedule coming round the corner--the chamber leaders urged the government and other political parties to find an amicable solution to the current political deadlock in the interest of the economy.
Heads of such chamber organisations find such political programmes detrimental to the country's image abroad and impact FDI inflows.
The mainstream-opposition BNP and allied parties in fair-election movement have called yet another spell of 48-hour blockade beginning this (Wednesday) dawn. This is the fifth such programme since October 28 when the BNP grand rally at Nayapaltan got foiled for outbreaks of violence.
And this round is deemed all the more delicate for the fact that the Election Commission is poised to roll out the election schedule today or tomorrow with the opposition lineup remaining in the wilderness with their agitations for what they say vote under a neutral interim government.
The ruling government remains steadfast on its position that the general election, likely next January, will take place under its auspices as per the latest constitutional provisions.

jasimharoon@yahoo.com and bdsmile@gmail.com

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