Staff Reporter :
Economists and investors on Wednesday expressed serious concern over the recent spate of targeted killings by suspected militants, urging the government to take effective measures to stop such incidents for the sake of national economy.
They said the ongoing act of terrorism has created security concern in the minds of global investors and buyers which in turn may drive out them from Bangladesh leaving a long-term impact on various economic fronts, including trade and investment.
“Foreign investors and buyers are always looking for enabling environment for investment with smooth law and order situation while doing business in a country. But the ongoing act of terrorism has created a low business confidence, making the potential investors shy to come and do business here,” a leader of Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) told The New Nation on Wednesday, requesting not to be named.
Describing the recent killings as worrying, the FICCI leader said, overseas companies and investors operating in Bangladesh are now assessing overall security situation in the country. “They are expecting government’s all-out measures to bring the masterminds and killers under the book so that extremism can be fully prevented.
“The government must ensure proper investigations into the brutal murders and horrifying attacks and those responsible have to be brought to justice. If it can do this, it will help bringing confidence of the foreign investors and buyers,” he said. He further said that no investors would like to operate business under security risks. So, it is also essential to ensure protection and safety of all investors.
“Concern over security is mounting from the international partners which in turn is likely to leave an adverse impact on Bangladesh’s foreign trade and investment in the long-run,” Dr AB Mirza Azizul Islam told The New Nation yesterday.
He said, international community and investors will continue following the Bangladesh situation closely as they have business with local partners. If the government fails to address their concerns, they will definitely look for alternative destinations for investment harming trade and investment of the country.
The UK and Australia has already imposed ban on direct air cargo from Dhaka raising security concern seriously affecting our foreign trade to these countries. Similarly, a renewed security concern as a result of targeted killings could further shake confidence of Bangladesh’s overseas trade and investment partners.
“Bangladesh has made a considerable economic progress in recent years taking advantage of growing exports, agriculture and service sectors. The country will continue to advance economically if it can ensure political stability and establish rule of law preventing all kinds of extremism,” he noted.
He further said such a development could also help make a congenial investment climate in Bangladesh.
