Seek restoration of order for secure business run

Top business leaders Wednesday urged immediate restoration of law and order and security for normal run of businesses and economic growth, as marauding occurred in the transitional time of governance.

They voiced concerns over destructive activities, torching and vandalism targeting industrial and commercial establishments, following the exit of the Awami League government amid a student-mass uprising.

The business-community seniors called for President Shahabuddin and Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman to do what needed to ensure the security of business premises.

They welcomed the formation of an interim government with Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus as the chief adviser.

The appeals came from a press meet organised in a city hotel by the International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICCB).

Presiding over the meet, ICCB President Md Mahbubur Rahman stressed stopping the destruction done by hooligans, making it clear that students are not involved.

"We have gathered here on behalf of the country's private sector to urge everyone to cooperate with each other in restoring law and order," he said.

He urged the army to intervene to prevent further chaos, adding that army is doing what they can but it is not enough.

Reports are coming that miscreants are entering factories and looting, the ICCB chief told the press, adding: "We do not have statistics as of yet, but it will not be less than billions of dollars."

He sounded a note of alarm that the country's economy is already "crippled for the plundering going on for a long time".

Garment owners have reported that many factories, supposed to open today (Wednesday), remained closed as entrepreneurs are hesitant to reopen, especially in the export-industrial belts like Ashulia, Bhaluka and Narayanganj.

Mr Rahman expressed condolences on the killing of hundreds of students in violence during the student-people demonstrations.

He said the families of murdered students should be compensated, the injured should get treatment at government expense and those maimed and wounded for lifetime should be rehabilitated.

Mahbubur Rahman urged the president and the army chief to form the interim government as soon as possible.

He also recalled past pressures on businesspeople during the Awami League government's tenure, where neutrality was not an option.

"You are either with-us or against-us-like doctrine persisted here in the country," the business leader noted.

Responding to a question about a meeting with the then prime minister to discuss student protests, police killings, and the curfew, he mentioned that they had no opportunity to object when invited to meet with the head of government.

"We do not have two heads on our shoulders," he said metaphorically depicting the dreaded autocrat.

Managing Director of Square Pharmaceuticals Limited Tapan Chowdhury warned that the deteriorating law-and-order situation is overshadowing the students' sacrifices, stoking concerns among foreign buyers about the safety and reliability of Bangladesh as a source.

As the marauders ran riot, he deplored that the reign of vandalism and arson is hurting the country.

AK Azad, former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Managing Director of Ha-Meem Group, called for protection, citing incidents of factories being set on fire, including those of Ha-Meem Group, Beximco, Gazi Group, and Square's headquarters.

AK Azad noted that while the interim government may take some time to become fully operational, manufacturers and exporters must work continuously.

He recounted incidents of vandalism, arson, and looting at various factories, stating that the current conditions make it impossible for them to run their operations.

Azad pushed four key demands: normalizing the law-and-order situation, reopening factories, ensuring public safety, and activating police stations.

He mentioned seeking the army's cooperation in achieving these goals and confirmed recent discussions with the army chief.

MA Matin Chowdhury, former president of Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, noted that many factories are unable to unload raw materials at the port, leading to stockpiling of products and buyers redirecting about 30 per cent of their orders elsewhere.

However, he remains optimistic that a quick improvement in the situation could stabilize the business environment.

MA Jabbar, Managing Director of DBL Group, highlighted that buyers are continuously inquiring about the current situation, which cannot be prolonged. He emphasized that rapid improvement and restoration of law and order are crucial for managing the situation.

FBCCI Vice-President Amin Helaly pointed out the private sector's significant contribution of 85 per cent to the economy, stressing that halting it would impede economic progress. Immediate improvement is imperative.

Former BGMEA President Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez welcomed Dr Yunus as the head of interim government, expressing confidence that his respectable international reputation would help restore the country's image and gain the confidence of foreign buyers.

A stable economy would contribute to Dr Yunus' success.

Simin Rahman, CEO of Transcom Group, stressed that restoring law and order is crucial not only for business but also for the normalcy of people's life.

She said the media in neighbouring country indulged "in negative propaganda of the situation in Bangladesh".

She urged everyone to project a positive image of the country, countering various forms of propaganda during this difficult and transitional period.

Present among others were ICC Vice President Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Board Member Abdul Hai Sarker and Secretary-General Ataur Rahman and BGMEA FVP Syed Nazrul Islam and former DCCI President Rizwan Rahman.

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