Muhith urges businessmen to help expedite growth

Finance Minister AMA Muhith has urged the businessmen to contribute more for having growth in revenue by one per cent in every year during the coming five years.
"I request the private sector to increase growth by one per cent in each year during the upcoming five years, and I know it is an ambitious target. But, this should be given emphasis and I expect you people (businessmen) would do this," he added.
The finance minister was addressing the annual general meeting of International Business Forum of Bangladesh (IBFB) at the chief guest in a city hotel on Thursday, reports BSS.
He informed that the private sector maintained 0.6 per cent growth in each of the last five years and said this trend should continue.
"Working together is the key of success and I believe we could achieve the target if we work together," he expressed the hope.
About the shortage of power, the minister called upon the Energy Regulatory Commission and Power Division to strengthen monitoring for proper distribution of energy.
State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan, American Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena, FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, Chairman of SBAC Bank SM Amzad Hossain and Founding President of IBFB Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion. IBFB President Hafizur Rahman Khan presided over the AGM.
M A Mannan said the people of Bangladesh are always confident and they could do every thing for the betterment of the country.
Dan W Mozena quoting his mother's belief said: "The darkest clouds of live have silver linings. I believe such is the case of the Rana Plaza tragedy. I believe that from the rubbles of Rana Plaza has arisen an earnest commitment to ensure that there will be no more Rana Plazas. no more such needless, senseless loss of life."
"The stakeholders of Bangladesh's readymade garment industry, the buyers, workers, owners, ILO, America, Bangladesh's other foreign friends and partners, and, most especially the government of Bangladesh have taken important steps down the path towards ensuring that Bangladesh apparel industry meets international standards in terms of the fire safety, factory structural soundness, and respect for workers' right to freely associate and organise," he added.
Mozena said: "Nonetheless, the road ahead is long and the obstacles will be many as some endeavour to thwart this transformation of Bangladesh's RMG sector, but I am confident that Bangladesh will succeed in this historic undertaking."
He also said with confidence that 'Brand Bangladesh' would become a Premium Brand, a preferred brand in the global apparel market.