Kazi Zahidul Hasan :Economy has suffered loss of Tk 40,000 crore during the last 20 days countrywide blockade and hartal enforced by BNP led 20-party alliance, according to the Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB).EAB, the country’s apex trade body of the export sector, on Saturday came up with the estimation in a statement issued by its President Abdus Salam Murshedy.”Everyday loss due to blockade and hartal is around Tk 2,300 crore. It will be Tk 40,000 crore if the loss is calculated taking into cognizance the last 20 days blockade and hartal,” said Murshedy in the statement.At a press conference on January 22, the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) said that the country had incurred economic losses of Tk 36,445 crore from 16 days countrywide blockade and hartal.”The calculation of the losses has been prepared taking into consideration of all major export sectors, including readymade garment (RMG), leather and leather goods, frozen foods, plastic, pharmaceuticals, jute and jute goods, ceramics, furniture,vegetables and shipbuilding,” said Salam Murshedy while talking to The New Nation. He added: It has also calculated the losses of the real estate, poultry, transport, agriculture, tourism, retail business and insurance sectors. “The economy continues to bleed and suffers heavy losses in almost all important sectors owing to non-stop blockade. Such a situation has also pushed the export -oriented industries towards a grave risk,” he said.Terming the export sector as ‘mainstay’ of the economy, Murshedy said, “The current wave of political unrest is ruining our export prospect as production of most of the export-oriented industries came to a halt due to supply line disruption. The prevailing situation has also created huge inconvenience for the workers, goods transportation and shipment of export cargoes”. He also mentioned that exporters cannot maintain their shipment deadline due to lower production, shortage of raw materials and lack of transportation. This forces the buyers to cancel export orders and to impose penalties, causing huge financial losses to the exporters.”Exporters have already lost millions of dollars and export orders. Many more industries will be sick, if the turmoil prolongs,” he warned.He further said that the economy has plunged into a ‘disastrous’ situation due to the ongoing confrontation among the major political parties and violence in the street. It also severely tarnishes image of the country. The EAB leader, however, urged the BNP led 20-party alliance to call off their hartal and blockade programme in the greater interest of the economy. “Political stability and smooth law and order situation had linked to investment and growth. The national economy may not get momentum once the vital economic fundamental is not addressed,” he added.
