FICCI again demands Mon to Fri work week
Monday, 23 November 2009
FE Report
Foreign investors Sunday reiterated their demand of introducing the Monday to Friday work week, saying Bangladesh should remain aligned with the rest of the world.
"Friday also should be a working day, if we want to remain aligned with the world," outgoing president of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Waliur Rahman Bhuiyan said.
He said his chamber leaders also made the demand when they met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mr Bhuiyan, also chief executive of Bangladesh Oxygen Ltd, noted that Bangladesh should attract more non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) to invest in the country.
He suggested that the government should organise 'NRB Day,' which could act as a vehicle to attract more foreign nationals of Bangladeshi origin from all over the world.
But the outgoing FICCI head said the government must address two critical issues - utility supply and infrastructure - if it wants to lure foreign investors.
"We know that the government is aware of the problems, but unless electricity, gas and water supplies are visibly assured, foreign investors will be reluctant to invest here," he told reporters. "Prompt decision making and appropriate action are critical to address these issues."
He also warned that the practices in Chittagong Port may easily damage the country's reputation, and said corruption, hidden costs and delays at the port need attention. "An efficient operating port is crucial for Bangladesh's economy," he said.
Another infrastructural need is upgradation of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, he added.
Mr Bhuiyan said the chamber members appreciate the pro-investment initiatives of the government.
"We will continue to act as ambassadors of Bangladesh to make it more familiar as an attractive investment location, which will help stimulate the country's economic and social development," he added.
FICCI was established in 1963 in Chittagong as "Agrabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry." Its name was changed in 1987 and office was moved to Dhaka. Today, the organisation has 160 members.
He said the chamber's annual meeting would discuss on how foreign investors fit into the Bangladesh economy.
Foreign investors Sunday reiterated their demand of introducing the Monday to Friday work week, saying Bangladesh should remain aligned with the rest of the world.
"Friday also should be a working day, if we want to remain aligned with the world," outgoing president of the Foreign Investors' Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Waliur Rahman Bhuiyan said.
He said his chamber leaders also made the demand when they met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Mr Bhuiyan, also chief executive of Bangladesh Oxygen Ltd, noted that Bangladesh should attract more non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) to invest in the country.
He suggested that the government should organise 'NRB Day,' which could act as a vehicle to attract more foreign nationals of Bangladeshi origin from all over the world.
But the outgoing FICCI head said the government must address two critical issues - utility supply and infrastructure - if it wants to lure foreign investors.
"We know that the government is aware of the problems, but unless electricity, gas and water supplies are visibly assured, foreign investors will be reluctant to invest here," he told reporters. "Prompt decision making and appropriate action are critical to address these issues."
He also warned that the practices in Chittagong Port may easily damage the country's reputation, and said corruption, hidden costs and delays at the port need attention. "An efficient operating port is crucial for Bangladesh's economy," he said.
Another infrastructural need is upgradation of the Dhaka-Chittagong highway, he added.
Mr Bhuiyan said the chamber members appreciate the pro-investment initiatives of the government.
"We will continue to act as ambassadors of Bangladesh to make it more familiar as an attractive investment location, which will help stimulate the country's economic and social development," he added.
FICCI was established in 1963 in Chittagong as "Agrabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry." Its name was changed in 1987 and office was moved to Dhaka. Today, the organisation has 160 members.
He said the chamber's annual meeting would discuss on how foreign investors fit into the Bangladesh economy.