Tenure of FBCCI executive body extended until Dec 12

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FE Report
The government has extended the tenure of the existing executive committee of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) until December 12 to facilitate holding of election for 2007-09.
"We have received a notification today (Tuesday) in this connection from the Ministry of Commerce," said one FBCCI official said.
Talking to the FE Tuesday Feroz Ahmed, secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, acknowledged move saying: "We have decided in principle to extend the tenure of the executive committee of the FBCCI by 90 days."
When asked, he said the ministries concerned is working on issuance of a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) to restrict loan and tax defaulters from taking part in the FBCCI election.
Earlier June 4, the commerce ministry directed the FBCCI to take necessary measures to bring required amendments to its organisational rules under rules-8 (1) (B) of The Trade Organisations Ordinance 1961 in this regard.
The apex trade body at an extraordinary general meeting June 28 brought amendments to the rules as per the government directive.
Under the latest amendments, besides the loan and tax defaulters, persons convicted in criminal or corruption cases or in criminal offence like moral turpitude, unless five years passed after their release, will not be eligible to participate in FBCCI election.
When asked, Mir Nasir Hossain, president of FBCCI, said: "We will forward the copy of the commerce ministry notification to the election committee of the FBCCI to take proper step in light of the government directives."
The apex trade body sent a letter seeking extension of the tenure of its existing committee after the government on July 10 suspended the scheduled election for 2007-09 until further order.
The tenure of the present executive committee was to expire September 5.
However, a source close to the FBCCI election committee said it will soon resume preparation to hold the election.
"We will soon hold a meeting to announce the fresh election schedule," he said.
Prior to imposition of restriction on holding election, the Election Board of the FBCCI was receiving nomination papers for its scheduled August 16 election.