Businesses hope for political stability, strong policy support from next elected govt

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FE Report
The country's leading businessmen Tuesday suggested that the next elected government ensure social and political stability, improve the law and order situation and lend strong policy support. They also opined against 'hartal,' which does a lot of damage to the overall economy.
The businessmen said the people do not want to revert to the pre-1/11 era and hence a strong and benevolent leadership is needed to move the country forward.
The businessmen made the points while commending Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed for Bangladesh armed forces' immense contribution to the nation, at a reception accorded to him at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city.
They also hailed the army chief for his visionary approaches for undertaking a number of significant projects and also sought further cooperation in future.
They pointed out development of Chittagong Port including its automation and completion of the voter identity card project at much lower costs than expected, wooing farmers to augment agricultural output and the contribution during natural disasters as some of the significant achievements the armed forces accomplished in last two years.
The Council of Chamber Presidents, an association of the country's district chamber presidents, organised the reception with its President Abul Kashem Ahmed in the chair, while Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Annisul Huq was the special guest.
The FBCCI president praised the army chief and his fellow colleagues for not taking over the state power despite having the scopes.
He also urged the country's armed forces not to take over state power in future too.
Pointing to the contributions of the armed forces, the FBCCI president said about Tk 24 billion (2,400 crore) was remitted in the last decade by the army personnel, working as the United Nations peace keepers.
Speaking on the occasion, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Latifur Rahman sought a stable government through the next general election.
Improved law and order and good governance are essential for betterment of the country, he added.
The MCCI president also stressed that all the stakeholders need to work jointly to ensure stability in every sphere of the society and move the national economy forward.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Anwar-ul-Alam Parvez lauded the army chief for his pragmatic step to tackle the long-lasting Monga, a state of joblessness, in the northern region.
"With the assistance of armed forces, the BGMEA set up 30 training centres and so far recruited around 7,000 workers from the Monga-prone northern region," he mentioned.
Some 15,000 workers would join in factories after completion of their training next year, he added.
He, however, sought policy support from the government in developing a number of sectors like pharmaceuticals, information and communication technology (ICT).
Effective public-private partnership is required to achieve success in business, the BGMEA president observed.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President M Fazlul Haq praised the army chief for terming the country's apparel sector a national asset and giving the assurance to safeguard the country's ready-made garment (RMG) sector from the clutches of a vested quarter.
The apparel sector workers know how to maintain discipline, he said. But a vested quarter is acting behind the scene turning them outrageous very frequently, he alleged.
The BKMEA president was also upbeat about facing the global recession. He said despite the global recession the knitwear sector witnessed 45 per cent growth in export in last three months.
The country's apparel sector has the potential to be the topmost exporter in the global market from the existing third position in next ten years if proper protection of the sector is ensured.
Former FBCCI president Abdul Awal Mintoo expected that social stability and good governance would prevail after takeover of the next elected government, which would help move forward the country further.
The future leaders must have to forget about past bickering and work pragmatically for development of the country, he stressed.
Former FBCCI president Yussuf Abdullah Haroon expressed the hope that the next elected government would ensure more transparency and accountability in the governance system.
"Next five years are important for the future of the country," said Mr Haroon, adding, "If we fail to undertake necessary steps the country is sure to suffer."