Push for reforms in FBCCI

Boishamma Birodhi Sanskar Parishad or Anti-Discrimination Reform Council on Monday called for significant reforms in the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) to address what it describes as long-standing inefficiencies, political influence, and neglect of small and medium enterprises.

The council has demanded that all affiliated associations and chambers complete their elections before those of the FBCCI to ensure the election of business representatives free from any political influence.

It also called for complete abolition of the current system of appointing nominated directors to the FBCCI board.

The council suggested direct elections for key leadership positions, including president, vice-president, and director, arguing that this would enhance accountability.

At a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters Unity in the city, the council presented a set of eight reform proposals aimed at overhauling the country's apex trade body and its affiliated organisations.

Coordinators of the Council Abul Kashem Haider, Zakir Hossain Nayan, Giasuddin Chowdhury Khokon and Md Zakir Hossain, among others, attended the press conference.

According to the council, for the past 15 years, the FBCCI has largely failed to act in the best interests of the business community. Instead, it operated under political agendas that serve personal gains and the interests of large corporate businesses.

As a result, the council leaders argue, the FBCCI has failed to interfere with the ever-increasing market prices, leading to unchecked syndicates that have artificially inflated the cost of essential goods.

"Small and medium traders, who form a critical part of the country's economy, have been left marginalised," said Abul Kashem Haider in a written speech.

The council further alleged that FBCCI's leadership has aligned itself with one-party, unelected governments, transforming the organisation into a tool for political appeasement rather than a body representing business interests.

Dissatisfaction within the organisation came to a head in August 2024, when FBCCI's general members formally appealed to the Ministry of Commerce for the dissolution of the FBCCI board.

Following this, on September 11, the government dissolved the board of directors and appointed an administrator, which marked a pivotal moment in the growing crisis.

The Reform Council demand complete abolition of the current system of appointing nominated directors to FBCCI's board, saying that this system has allowed individuals with no legitimate business background but strong political connections to enter the organisation and seek benefits such as preferential treatment and lucrative travel opportunities.

It described the current board of 80 directors as inefficient and bloated, with most directors often absent from meetings.

The council proposes that the number of directors should be reduced to make governance more streamlined and effective.

Furthermore, the council demanded a reduction in the number of vice-presidents from seven to three.

Another proposed reform is related to the balance of representation between the chamber and association groups within FBCCI.

The council noted that the association group represents far more members and pays a significantly larger portion of the subscription fees than the chamber group, yet both groups have equal representation on the board.

To correct this disparity, they suggested that the board should consist of 15 directors from the chamber group and 25 from the association group.

In addition, the council advocated for term limits, arguing that any elected official should take a mandatory break after serving two consecutive terms which would help prevent the entrenchment of power and reduce the influence of entrenched voting blocs.

The Reform Council believes that these measures will help FBCCI recover from years of political influence and mismanagement, allowing it to better serve the country's four crore traders and the business community at large.

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