THE London-based Civil Unrest Index (CUI) rated Bangladesh at sixth place in the top ‘extremely risky countries’ in the world in terms of businessmen fear about doing business. The low ranking for Bangladesh came less than a year after yet another such low ranking in terms of ‘ease of doing business’ when the World Bank puts it at 174 position – two notches below from previous rating. It mainly blamed stalled regulatory reforms and bureaucratic hassles impeding business. What is most striking now is that Bangladesh is increasingly becoming a hotspot; as highly susceptible to political unrest and violence and a rising militancy adding to business risks to new investments and running existing businesses. Since 2013 the spate of violence is only spreading in Bangladesh threatening social peace. Militants killing of bloggers, free-thinkers, teachers, clergymen, members of religious minorities and foreigners prominently featured Bangladesh in global media headlines almost routinely. The biggest blow came recently when militants killed 22 people including 18 foreigners at a Gulshan Café followed by yet another attack at Sholakia Eidgah in Kishoregonj; that also saw killing of 4 including two policemen. The world again came to know about militants attack when police in the capital’s Kalyanpur area killed nine suspected militants few days back in preemptive shootouts. It has spread more fear among local and foreign people doing business here and planning expansion of new business adding to their risks factors. We also must say that the police actions that create panic and kill people in open shootouts should be restraint because it is putting wrong signals that business environment is lacking in this country. The prevalence of the rule of law is most important to give people confidence, including business confidence. Unfortunately, our policy advisers to the government see everywhere development and growth. Foreign experts worry about the chaotic situation developing in our country. Terrorism arises for nothing, and terrorism is not a safe situation for the economy. But there are some in the government, who will not hear others, but think terrorism has made the government’s position secure. The people are kept disturbed about the fear of terrorism. The truth is corruption and mismanagement are pervasive in the country. The people have all the restrictions as introduced by police as a way of fighting terrorism. But the fact is that there are some extremely disappointed sections among our people, owing to the government’s discriminations and divisive policy. In the absence of political leadership, the need of political solution goes unheeded.
