Staff Reporter :The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) on Wednesday said that the national economy has suffered loss of Tk 1.20 lakh crore so far due to underway non-stop blockade and hartals enforced by BNP-led 20- party alliance.FBCCI, the country’s apex trade body came up with the estimation while briefing the diplomats about the current political situation, trade and investment position and rebuilding image of Bangladesh across the globe amid political crisis.The briefing was held at the Hotel Sonargaon in the city, with FBCCI president Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed was in the chair.Diplomats from the US, the UK, Russia, China, Japan, South Korea, Canada, Australia, Turkey, India, Pakistan, Singapore and representatives of UN agencies and international organisations, were present, among others, at the meeting.”The 44 days blockade along with hartals virtually cut the capital from other parts of the country severely affecting trade and business. The economy has suffered loss of Tk 1.20 lakh crore so far due to the current political turmoil,” said Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed.He also informed the envoys stationed in Dhaka that the ongoing political violence cost lives of 88 people across the country.”Violent political programme in the name of hartals and blockades is not only badly affecting the country’s business activities, export-import trade and retail business, but it is also taking toll on lives and properties,” added Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed.Expressing serious concern over the ongoing political violence, the FBCCI leader urged the political parties to work together to resolve the current political impasse through dialogue.He called upon the BNP-led 20-party alliance to stop the ongoing violence during the countrywide nonstop blockade.He requested the foreign diplomats and representatives of international agencies to play their due role in restoring peace and stability in the country. Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed also sought their continued support for Bangladesh’s economic development.Condemning the ongoing political violence, the foreign diplomats said, democracy cannot be strengthened through destructive activities, and hoped violence would end making way for democracy to flourish in Bangladesh in the days to come.They also urged the government to hold constructive dialogue with the opposition to find a peaceful solution to the current political crisis.”Like my colleagues, we have called for the end to the violence”, said Marcia Stephens Bloom Bernicat, the newly appointed US ambassador to Bangladesh.She said: “We are optimistic that Bangladeshis have to resolve the crisis as they have the blessing of the democratic space, free press, the civil society and rich business community.”The ongoing violence must stop, and there must be space for peaceful political programmes, said Benoit-Pierre Laramee, Canadian High Commissioner.Alexander Nikolaev, Ambassador of Russia, said the current political situation of the country is a matter of great concern for the FBCCI and others as it is a threat for the economic development of the country.Lee Yan Young, Ambassador of South Korea, said: “We hope this kind of political crisis should end through compromise and consensus among political parties as soon as possible.”He supported the call from the people in the country, many institutions and the civil society who are asking for peace and dialogue among the parties.
