UNB, Dhaka :As BNP keeps on threatening to wage a movement after Eid-ul-Fitr demanding a fresh election under a neutral administration, the country’s business community hopes that Khaleda Zia’s alliance this time will choose a non-violent programme to keep the economy unhurt.They think the time has come to realise the severe impact of political unrest on the economy and allow ‘peaceful’ political programmes and ‘business as usual’ together for the sake of unhindered growth apart from making the development achievements sustainable.The top business leaders do not want to see any political instability and rampant vandalism for which the country’s economy suffered a loss of Tk 11,000 crore in the last fiscal year, which is around 1 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP).”Politicians can do politics, but cannot destroy the economy through destructive activities, arson attacks and killings,” FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed told UNB.He said the business community wants a peaceful environment to do business smoothly to keep the development wheel moving. “Politicians do politics for the country and its wellbeing. So, it’s our expectation that they won’t do any destructive politics in the name of movement,” said the apex trade body chief.The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) leaders also said the parties which are out of state power today might assume power in the future. “It’s quite normal. So, why should you destroy the country? We want peace in the coming days.”President of Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) Abdus Salam Murshedy said the last fiscal year was a volatile one and the economy witnessed bleeding due to political unrest.”It’s usual to have political programmes. But the violence should not get associated with the politics,” he said adding that ultimately politicians will run the country and the business community will take forward the country towards higher economic growth.Murshedy, also former President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said the time has come to allow business and political programmes together peacefully. “We don’t want any destructive politics that might impede economic activities.”BGMEA first vice president Nasiruddin Ahmed Chowdhury expressed his optimism that BNP would not launch any destructive programmes after Eid.”I do believe they won’t go towards any violent programmes. So far they have not given any indication that their anti-government programmes will be violent. That’s the good thing,” he told UNB.Chowdhury said each political party has the right to go for systematic movement in a peaceful manner.BNP’s Dhaka city unit committee convener Mirza Abbas has already said their post-Eid movement would be peaceful unless the government obstructs it and shows undemocratic attitude.
