Asia-Pacific chamber leaders concerned over turmoil

A top leader of the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) expressed Monday his grave concern over the growing political instability in the country and urged political parties to resolve the problem immediately.
"Bangladesh is a beautiful country having all opportunities to develop its economy further, but the recent political situation of the country hinders the development efforts," said CACCI President Jemal Inaishvili while addressing a discussion meeting at a local hotel on Monday. He stressed the need for an amicable solution to the problem.  
The Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) organised the programme in honour of the presidential delegation members of the CACCI now visiting Bangladesh.
This is for the first time a CACCI president, accompanied by representatives from eight member-countries, visited Bangladesh.
Highlighting its resilient economy, the CACCI president termed Bangladesh as one of the prospective countries which can flourish further. But the country's businesses are facing a lot of problems due to political instability.
"Building a business needs political stability. But all we know businesses in Bangladesh are facing lots of problems......," said the CACCI top boss, also a member of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He urged the politicians to resolve the problem as early as possible.
Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi, who attended the programme as the chief guest, however, said that the vitality of entrepreneurs would not be disrupted by the misdeeds of a few people.
 "I want to assure you that whatever you see here -- the disturbances -- doesn't enjoy popular public support," said the adviser.
Without endorsement of people, those who are trying to disrupt political and social stability will soon retreat and they won't be able to hold back economic progress, he added.
He pointed out that the government institutions have remained vigilant and are strong enough to oversee their concerns.
 "The violence that is taking place needs to be put in a proper context and broader perspective," said the adviser, who also gave a picture of economic development made during the last few years of the present government.
He said, people outside are not fully aware of how much progress the country have achieved over the years.
 "Today, there's new narrative and new stories," said Mr Rizvi said urging the CACCI leaders to encourage all in their respective countries to understand the new narrative and new stories of Bangladesh.
Listing the achievements in various areas, he said, "We can do much more in the coming years."
He said, the country will not have to wait till 2021 to have a status of middle income country. It may achieve the status much earlier, he observed
Presided over by FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, the function was addressed among others by CACCI Vice Presidents Pradeep Kumar Shrestha and Peter McMullin and FBCCI First Vice President Mrs Monowara Hakim Ali while CACCI Deputy Director General Amador Honrado presented the key note paper on "The role of chamber of commerce in promoting regional trade and investment cooperation in the South Pacific region'.
A large number of chamber leaders, businessmen and entrepreneurs attended the programme.
Welcoming the delegation, Kazi Akram said the visit would greatly push forward the agenda of regional business integration and generate long-term impacts on more businesses between Bangladesh and CACCI member-countries.
He said Bangladesh needs more trade and investment to become a middle-income country and invited investment from CACCI member-states in Bangladesh.
Mr Akram hoped that the FBCCI and the CACCI would continue to work together for mutual development and progress.
FBCCI first vice president Monowara Hakim Ali also sought greater cooperation between the FBCCI and the CACCI members in the coming days. She urged the CACCI leaders to work as ambassadors in their respective countries by narrating the achievements that Bangladesh has made so far.
The CACCI delegation arrived in Dhaka on Sunday to explore opportunities for enhancing regional trade and investment cooperation. This was Jemal Inaishvili's first visit to Bangladesh since he assumed the office in September last year.
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