'Economy going through a difficult time'
Tuesday, 25 March 2008
FE Report
Newly elected FBCCI president Annisul Huq Monday vowed to find a new branding for Bangladesh that would help eliminate its negative image.
"We want a new branding for our country which eliminates all negative ideas about Bangladesh and pave the way for increased inflow of investment and higher economic growth," he added.
He was delivering his maiden speech at the conference room of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) after formally taking over as the president of the country's apex trade body.
Annisul also said the country is now experiencing a slowdown in investment while the prices of essential commodities are rising each day.
"We all together will work to ease the price hike. We will take steps whatever we can do to ease it," he added.
He also said he will take steps for improving investment situation saying: "Investment is decreasing day by day following lack of confidence among the businesspeople".
"Lack of confidence among the businesspeople still exists although the situation has improved a bit following various steps taken by the government to restore confidence and improve the investment scenario," he added.
The new FBCCI president also said there still exists some volatility in the economy though there has been some improvements recently.
Annisul Huq said the country's economy is passing through a difficult period adding: "We're now standing at a corner of a plateau from where we can do something constructive for the country or fall downward to destroy ourselves".
"This is our issue- whether we fall from the plateau or do something positive for the economy," he metaphorically added
He, however, stressed the need for greater unity among the business people to change the country's economic scenario especially investments, price hike and image building.
"Businesses are the driving forces of the economy. So our unified journey will definitely help change the economy," he added.
He also said the country's business community is contributing 85 per cent of the revenue collection and 95 per cent of the export.
Election commissioner Prof M Ashraf Ali, earlier officially declared the names of President, Vice-Presidents and other Board of Directors of the FBCCI.
Earlier, Abul Kashem Ahmed was elected as senior vice president while Abu Alam Chowdhury vice president for 2007-09.
FBCCI administrator Syed Manzur Elahi also spoke on the occasion and thanked all of its members and other stakeholders for their cooperation in holding the election in a free and fair manner.
Manzur stressed the need for combined efforts of the business community to face the prevailing challenges and wished for the success of the newly elected committee.
Chairman of the FBCCI election board Ali Ashraf also spoke at the function.
Former FBCCI presidents, former directors and general body members also attended the function.
Newly elected FBCCI president Annisul Huq Monday vowed to find a new branding for Bangladesh that would help eliminate its negative image.
"We want a new branding for our country which eliminates all negative ideas about Bangladesh and pave the way for increased inflow of investment and higher economic growth," he added.
He was delivering his maiden speech at the conference room of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) after formally taking over as the president of the country's apex trade body.
Annisul also said the country is now experiencing a slowdown in investment while the prices of essential commodities are rising each day.
"We all together will work to ease the price hike. We will take steps whatever we can do to ease it," he added.
He also said he will take steps for improving investment situation saying: "Investment is decreasing day by day following lack of confidence among the businesspeople".
"Lack of confidence among the businesspeople still exists although the situation has improved a bit following various steps taken by the government to restore confidence and improve the investment scenario," he added.
The new FBCCI president also said there still exists some volatility in the economy though there has been some improvements recently.
Annisul Huq said the country's economy is passing through a difficult period adding: "We're now standing at a corner of a plateau from where we can do something constructive for the country or fall downward to destroy ourselves".
"This is our issue- whether we fall from the plateau or do something positive for the economy," he metaphorically added
He, however, stressed the need for greater unity among the business people to change the country's economic scenario especially investments, price hike and image building.
"Businesses are the driving forces of the economy. So our unified journey will definitely help change the economy," he added.
He also said the country's business community is contributing 85 per cent of the revenue collection and 95 per cent of the export.
Election commissioner Prof M Ashraf Ali, earlier officially declared the names of President, Vice-Presidents and other Board of Directors of the FBCCI.
Earlier, Abul Kashem Ahmed was elected as senior vice president while Abu Alam Chowdhury vice president for 2007-09.
FBCCI administrator Syed Manzur Elahi also spoke on the occasion and thanked all of its members and other stakeholders for their cooperation in holding the election in a free and fair manner.
Manzur stressed the need for combined efforts of the business community to face the prevailing challenges and wished for the success of the newly elected committee.
Chairman of the FBCCI election board Ali Ashraf also spoke at the function.
Former FBCCI presidents, former directors and general body members also attended the function.