Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Business leaders on Saturday expressed their utter frustration over the continuation of the blockade and shutdown called by the BNP and said that the extended ‘destructive political programme’ will create more chaos jeopardising the country’s trade and commerce.
They said, by calling blockade and shutdowns, the opposition BNP has been giving criminals the opportunity to unleash violence which is affecting normal life and economic activities across the country.
Expressing deep frustration over the extended shutdown and blockade, Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) told The New Nation on Saturday: We hoped that BNP chief may call off their ongoing destructive political programme considering interest of the national economy. But she did not do it rather asked her party men to actively ‘jump upon’ in it to create further chaos. This is very unfortunate and we did not expect such a role from a top leader of our country.
He said, a normalcy was returning in the country’s businesses and public life taking advantage of the intensified security measures by the government. But a fresh shutdown and blockade call by BNP will create further anarchic situation in the country pushing businesses and public life into disarray again.
“We expected a sensible role from a party like BNP. But they failed to fulfil our expectation by lingering the present political crisis,” he added.
Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed also said that the FBCCI, the country’s apex trade body, will give its official reaction over the issue in a day or two.
The FBCCI leader also renewed calls for political leaders to work even through their bitter divisions, warning that a prolonged political instability would take a dangerous toll on Bangladesh economy.
The indefinite countrywide blockade called by BNP-led opposition entered 68th day on Saturday. It also called fresh spell of shutdown that is beginning from today (Sunday).
‘Economic impact of the last two months’ political unrest is already serious. The economic cost from the continuance of shutdown and blockade would be enormous,” warned Hossain Khaled, President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
He added: The opposition alliance apparently ignored our woes with the extension of blockade and shutdown. Besides, it will create a fresh volatility in the country’s political arena. It will further dampen confidence of the investors and entrepreneurs pushing the economy into deep trouble.
Expressing deep concern over the ongoing destructive political programme, he said, the business community never supports street violence in the name of shutdown (hartal) and blockade as those always take heavy toll on the economy.
“We expect sensible role from the political leaders and they should resolve the crisis through dialogue,” he noted.
“We had already born huge losses from the last 68 days’ blockade and frequent shutdowns. A fresh move to linger such programmes will bring further damaging impact on businesses,” said Riaz Bin Mahmood, Vice-President of Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
He said the apparel sector always been the worst sufferer of political violence and there is no exception this time.
“Production and export activities of garment industries are hampering seriously due to the current political unrest. It also tarnishes image of the country abroad,” he added.
Terming political violence as ‘self-destructive’, Reaz urged the BNP not to resort to violent political programme, rather launching peaceful political programmes to gain support from the people.
Reaz urged the political parties to resolve the political crisis politically as soon as possible to save the highest export-earning sector of the country.
