New selection criteria for CIP under study
Sunday, 5 December 2010
Doulot Akter Mala
The government plans to set new criteria for selection of Commercially Important Person (CIP) in the field of industries, in a bid to award the status on the basis of volume of contribution to the industrial sector.
The CIP (industries) selection for 2011 will be made under the new set of criteria along with existing ones. Presently, businessmen must have a clear history of bank loans repayment and tax payment to become eligible for selection as CIP for a year.
The Ministry of Industries is preparing the new selection criteria along with suggestions of the chamber bodies and leading businesses.
"Existing marking criteria will be revised to take perfect decisions on awarding the status," said A.B.M Khorshed Alam, additional secretary, ministry of industries.
The ministry held a meeting last month to discuss the new criteria for granting CIP status, he said.
"We have sought written proposals from chambers to finalise the criteria. It might be finalised in a meeting due on December 7," he said.
Social compliances will be evaluated for awarding the status, he said adding that currently businessmen are enjoying the status equally irrespective of their volume of contribution.
"We are trying to introduce slab system to show more honour to the persons contributing much to the society," he said.
Businessmen who contributed Tk 0.1 million are now enjoying equal status like a person who contributed Tk 20 million to the society, he said.
The new criteria will be set to ensure justice for the persons who really deserve the status, he added.
"The CIP policy was framed in 2008 hurriedly that overlooked many issues. Those will be addressed properly in the new policy," Alam said.
The fresh move will also specify the requirements of to be sought in black and white from businessmen for CIP selection, he said.
Alam said the new criteria are now under process and it will take final shape after the meeting to be held with chambers this week.
The government has been awarding the CIP status to top businessmen every year to recognize their contribution to the society. Chamber leaders also enjoy the status on ex-officio basis.
Momtaz Uddin, director of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said: "We have requested the government to increase the numbers of CIP to at least 60 giving more focus on small businesses."
Currently, only five small industries can enjoy the CIP status out of 44 positions.
The apex chamber is now preparing a proposal recommending above 15 positions for small businesses while 10 for large ones, Momtaz said.
Annisul Huq, former president of FBCCI, said the CIP policy should incorporate provisions to honour small entrepreneurs for their contribution.
He opposed the ex-officio status for selecting CIP as social contribution of those business people may be negligible at times.
The government plans to set new criteria for selection of Commercially Important Person (CIP) in the field of industries, in a bid to award the status on the basis of volume of contribution to the industrial sector.
The CIP (industries) selection for 2011 will be made under the new set of criteria along with existing ones. Presently, businessmen must have a clear history of bank loans repayment and tax payment to become eligible for selection as CIP for a year.
The Ministry of Industries is preparing the new selection criteria along with suggestions of the chamber bodies and leading businesses.
"Existing marking criteria will be revised to take perfect decisions on awarding the status," said A.B.M Khorshed Alam, additional secretary, ministry of industries.
The ministry held a meeting last month to discuss the new criteria for granting CIP status, he said.
"We have sought written proposals from chambers to finalise the criteria. It might be finalised in a meeting due on December 7," he said.
Social compliances will be evaluated for awarding the status, he said adding that currently businessmen are enjoying the status equally irrespective of their volume of contribution.
"We are trying to introduce slab system to show more honour to the persons contributing much to the society," he said.
Businessmen who contributed Tk 0.1 million are now enjoying equal status like a person who contributed Tk 20 million to the society, he said.
The new criteria will be set to ensure justice for the persons who really deserve the status, he added.
"The CIP policy was framed in 2008 hurriedly that overlooked many issues. Those will be addressed properly in the new policy," Alam said.
The fresh move will also specify the requirements of to be sought in black and white from businessmen for CIP selection, he said.
Alam said the new criteria are now under process and it will take final shape after the meeting to be held with chambers this week.
The government has been awarding the CIP status to top businessmen every year to recognize their contribution to the society. Chamber leaders also enjoy the status on ex-officio basis.
Momtaz Uddin, director of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), said: "We have requested the government to increase the numbers of CIP to at least 60 giving more focus on small businesses."
Currently, only five small industries can enjoy the CIP status out of 44 positions.
The apex chamber is now preparing a proposal recommending above 15 positions for small businesses while 10 for large ones, Momtaz said.
Annisul Huq, former president of FBCCI, said the CIP policy should incorporate provisions to honour small entrepreneurs for their contribution.
He opposed the ex-officio status for selecting CIP as social contribution of those business people may be negligible at times.