CIP status goes to 178 businesspeople

The government awarded on Monday CIP (commercially important person) status to 178 businesspeople in export and trade categories.
They were picked for the laurels for their outstanding performances in their respective fields and contribution to the economy in 2015.
Of the awardees, 136 received the status for exporting 19 product varieties.
Forty-two persons will enjoy the status being the ex-officio members of the apex trade body, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed handed the CIP status to the persons at a function hosted by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the commerce ministry at a city hotel.
Talking on behalf of the recipients, Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd managing director Abdul Muktadir hailed the government for honouring the businesspeople.
He made three suggestions -- improving quality of products by global standards, allowing investment in research and development as revenue expenditure and treat 5.0 per cent of the export as sample.
All these are meant to further accelerate the country's export growth, Mr Muktadir mentioned.
He called for reinforcing testing and certification authorities to make Bangladeshi products above the standardisation benchmark of any country.
FBCCI president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said Bangladesh economy is gradually getting stronger, thanks to the growing exports amid multiple obstacles.
The cost of land here is much higher than many rival countries, he added.
Mr Mohiuddin said political chaos often disturbs the congenial business climate here.
"With all odds, our economy keeps growing. It's the business community who efficiently faces the challenges and takes the country further ahead," he said.
The FBCCI chief was critical of arranging frequent fairs by the EPB to promote Bangladeshi products overseas as part of product and market diversification.
"Please hold fairs of global standards instead of too many exhibitions and make commercial counsellors at embassies accountable with setting a target for them."
Commerce secretary Subhasish Basu said the ministry will request the NBR (National Board of Revenue) not to allow investment in research and development as capital expenditure.
It will also urge the entity to increase threshold the sample of exportable items, he added.
Mr Basu was optimistic about achieving the $60 billion export target by 2021 with more than $40 billion export basket with inclusion of service sector.
Speaking as the chief guest, Mr Tofail said the government prioritised several sectors like garment, pharmaceuticals, leather, information technology, shipbuilding, furniture, light engineering and plastic for the potentials of those industries.
"We need to further take care of our businesspeople who lead the socioeconomic leap of the country and the government is doing it," he said.
Mr Tofail said his ministry is considering for providing CIP status to key business bodies like Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce & Industry (MCCI) and Chittagong Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCCI) in the coming years.
Among the privileges, the CIPs will get special passes to enter the secretariat, use special stickers on their cars and get invitations to join some public functions.
They will also get priority in seat reservations in airlines, railways, roads and public transports in waterways and get letters of introduction from foreign ministry for travelling abroad.
They and their dependants will also get cabins in hospitals on a priority basis.

[email protected]