Beboshayee Oikkya Parishad (BOP) announced Sunday a panel for the upcoming biennial election to the country's apex trade body.
"We want change. We want reform. We want to see honest, dedicated and experienced persons in the FBCCI (Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry) who will serve the business people's interests," Syed Moazzam Hossain, the panel head, said at a press briefing at a city hotel.
He introduced the Parishad panel's 16 candidates from different business associations for the biennial polls to be held on May 23.
He said that his panel would announce election manifesto within one week.
He alleged that the FBCCI leaders have failed to deliver the cause of general business people as most of them were not honestly discharging their duties.
"This is the panel ((BOP) committed to work. This is the panel committed to bring about a reform," he said.
Mr Hossain said the panel will work to resolve the problems related with the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), play due role in determining rational rate of Vat and tax, work hard to restore confidence of the investors in the share market, give all necessary facilities to the women entrepreneurs, carry out development activities for the associations attached with the FBCCI, implement modern information technology, ensure transparency in all the activities of the FBCCI and establish a strong research and development cell.
He said his panel will also work for increasing investment in the SME sector and making tax, VAT, export and import policies business-friendly and simple.
"We think time has come for change to the leadership of FBCCI. Our candidates have sufficient experiences and qualities. And they are committed to giving time and labour," Mr Hossain said.
Independent lawmaker from the old part of Dhaka Haji Selim expressed his solidarity with the panel.
He called upon the panel to do something better for the common business people, if elected.
The 16 members of Parishad for the upcoming FBCCI elections, are: Syed Moazzam Hossain of Bangladesh Intending Agents Association, Dr Kazi Ertaza Hassan of Bangladesh Concrete Product and Block Manufacturing Association, Md Shafquat Haider of Bangladesh Association of Call Centre and Outsourcing, Khandaker Ruhul Amin, of Four Stroke C.N. G Association of Bangladesh, Md Mizanur Rahman (Babul) of Bangladesh Steel Mill Owners Association, Md. Zamiul Ahmed of Tourism Developers Association of Bangladesh, Md. Ali Zaman of Bangladesh Steel Mill Owners Association, Barrister Md. Zakir Ahammad of Bangladesh Boutique House Owners Association, . Md. Abul Ayes Khan of Bangladesh Auto Spare Pars Merchant Association, Hazi Mohammad Moazzem Hossain of Bangladesh Footwear and Footwear Accessories Importers Association, Md. Aslam Ali of Bangladesh Sub- Contracting Industry Owners Association, M.G.R. Nasir Majumder of Bangladesh Inbound Tour Operators Association, Taher Ahmed Siddiqui of Bangladesh Egg Producers Association, Mohammad Ibrahim of Bangladesh Master Stevedores Association, Mohammad Ullah Palash of Bangladesh Acid Merchant Association and Mahmuda Mustakima Ruby of Bangladesh Beauty Parlor Owners Association.
The Board of FBCCI will be formed with 52 directors, of which 32 directors would be elected in direct election while 20 directors to be nominated from the country's different chambers and associations.
In the primary voter list published on March 30, there are a total of 2,193 voters, of which 430 are from 78 chambers while 1,763 from 355 associations.
The election to the FBCCI executive body for 2015-2017 will be held on May 23, while the election to posts of president and two vice-presidents on May 25.
talhabinhabib@yahoo.com
