Businesses demand hartal-free environment from next govt
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
FE Report
CHITTAGONG, Nov 03: Country's leading businesses demanded Monday that hartal, demonstration free and business friendly environment should have to be ensured by the next elected government to enable them run their businesses smoothly and give a further boost to the economic growth.
They were speaking at the country's first ever business conference held at Chittagong organised by the FBCCI in collaboration Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
"We want a guarantee from the next elected government that they will not call any hartals and other destructive activities and all problems and disagreements must be resolved in the parliament," said Mir Nasir Hossain, former FBCCI president said.
He further said: "We also want a guarantee from the next government to exercise our constitutional right of doing business." adding the next opposition party who ever they may be must respect the peoples verdict on the election.
Abdul Awal Mintoo, a former FBCCI president, said the businesses want 'real democracy' after the next elections, adding "an effective relationship among government agencies, civil societies and business community will be needed to develop the economy."
Mintoo said politics and economics are complementary to each other adding: "we are to ensure paths to work market forces independently."
Annisul Huq, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) joined the conference as chief guest while former chiefs of the apex chamber body Mir Nasir Hossain and Abdul Awal Mintoo attended as special guests.
The programme was held at Chittagong chapter of the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh.
CCCI president Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed presided over the meeting where over 1000 businessmen and leaders from greater Chittagong and Sylhet were present.
The FBCCI will also hold two more such conference - in Dhaka and Rajshahi -- and the outcome will be given to the next government to take actions and formulate policies.
The business leaders also said the next government should announce Sunday as public holiday in lieu of existing Friday and Saturday.
"We remain disconnected with the rest of the world by around three and a half days due to the existing week-end holiday system," Annisul said.
The business leaders said they want a guarantee as well on the burning issues regarding energy and power as their future investment largely depends on the issues.
"The government to be elected shortly after general elections must have to decide on the coal, gas and power as thousands of factories remained inoperative simply because of the gas and power shortage in Chittagong and other parts of the country," said Mir Nasir.
Annisul Huq said Bangladesh has huge coal reserves covering around 71 square kilometer and that could be utilised for generating power for the next 80 years.
"We failed to explore for coal and utilise the natural resource for long term benefit, now we want the next elected government to take necessary action to explore for coal and help generate power," Annisul added.
Business leaders however favoured for keeping functional the country's premier port Chittagong as it is now operating to ensure timely inbound and outgoing cargoes.
"We want see the port remaining functional in the coming days under political government," Annisul said.
FBCCI chief also said the political leaders must take advantage new opportunity created after 1/11 on developing qualitative leaderships.
"Opportunities does not come frequently, so political leaders should avail the chance for developing qualitative leaderships," Annisul said.
CHITTAGONG, Nov 03: Country's leading businesses demanded Monday that hartal, demonstration free and business friendly environment should have to be ensured by the next elected government to enable them run their businesses smoothly and give a further boost to the economic growth.
They were speaking at the country's first ever business conference held at Chittagong organised by the FBCCI in collaboration Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).
"We want a guarantee from the next elected government that they will not call any hartals and other destructive activities and all problems and disagreements must be resolved in the parliament," said Mir Nasir Hossain, former FBCCI president said.
He further said: "We also want a guarantee from the next government to exercise our constitutional right of doing business." adding the next opposition party who ever they may be must respect the peoples verdict on the election.
Abdul Awal Mintoo, a former FBCCI president, said the businesses want 'real democracy' after the next elections, adding "an effective relationship among government agencies, civil societies and business community will be needed to develop the economy."
Mintoo said politics and economics are complementary to each other adding: "we are to ensure paths to work market forces independently."
Annisul Huq, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) joined the conference as chief guest while former chiefs of the apex chamber body Mir Nasir Hossain and Abdul Awal Mintoo attended as special guests.
The programme was held at Chittagong chapter of the Institution of Engineers Bangladesh.
CCCI president Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed presided over the meeting where over 1000 businessmen and leaders from greater Chittagong and Sylhet were present.
The FBCCI will also hold two more such conference - in Dhaka and Rajshahi -- and the outcome will be given to the next government to take actions and formulate policies.
The business leaders also said the next government should announce Sunday as public holiday in lieu of existing Friday and Saturday.
"We remain disconnected with the rest of the world by around three and a half days due to the existing week-end holiday system," Annisul said.
The business leaders said they want a guarantee as well on the burning issues regarding energy and power as their future investment largely depends on the issues.
"The government to be elected shortly after general elections must have to decide on the coal, gas and power as thousands of factories remained inoperative simply because of the gas and power shortage in Chittagong and other parts of the country," said Mir Nasir.
Annisul Huq said Bangladesh has huge coal reserves covering around 71 square kilometer and that could be utilised for generating power for the next 80 years.
"We failed to explore for coal and utilise the natural resource for long term benefit, now we want the next elected government to take necessary action to explore for coal and help generate power," Annisul added.
Business leaders however favoured for keeping functional the country's premier port Chittagong as it is now operating to ensure timely inbound and outgoing cargoes.
"We want see the port remaining functional in the coming days under political government," Annisul said.
FBCCI chief also said the political leaders must take advantage new opportunity created after 1/11 on developing qualitative leaderships.
"Opportunities does not come frequently, so political leaders should avail the chance for developing qualitative leaderships," Annisul said.