BANGLADESH

Sheikh Hasina needs to be Prime Minister again: FBCCI

 

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Md Jashim Uddin highlighted the economic development of Bangladesh under the present government, led by Awami League. And he said that for the development and progress of Bangladesh leadership of prime minister Sheikh Hasina is need to be continued.

He added, “Sheikh Hasina has to be the prime minister of Bangladesh for businesses, development and progress of Bangladesh.

While addressing the Business Conference on Building Smart Bangladesh in city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), FBCCI arranged the event on Saturday July 16, Jashim Uddin made the remark.

Prime minister Sheikh Hasina urged the businessmen to make the country’s economy stronger, mentioning that the government is always beside them. She delivered her speech as the chief guest at the event.

She said, “Make the country’s economy stronger. We are always beside you (businessmen).”

She urged the businessmen to explore new markets and products to export using their innovative ideas. The government will always stand beside them.

Sheikh Hasina said that Awami League never judge any businessman seeing their political affiliation. Political affiliation of the businessmen is not important to us. We always think about the welfare of the people of Bangladesh.

In this regard, she mentioned that irrespective of the political affiliations, the government gives scope to all that is beneficial for the people of our country.

Commerce minister Tipu Munshi and prime minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman were preset as special guests at the event.

BGMEA president Faruk Hassan, former FBCCI presidents Yousuf Abdullah Harun, former FBCCI president AK Azad, Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Mir Nasir Hossain and Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, National Association of Small and Cottage Industry president Mirza Nurul Goni Shovon, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) president Mohammad Abul Basher, BASIS president Russel T Ahmed, Bangladesh Shop Owners’ Association president Helal Uddin, former president of Bangladesh Jute Spinners Association Sheikh Nasir Uddin, BCI President Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury, PRAN-RFL Group chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, former MCCI president Nihad Kabir, Chattogram Women Chamber president Monwara Hakim Ali, MCCI president Saiful Islam, BTMA president Mohammad Ali, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) Senior Vice president Abdul Muktadir, Meghna Group Chairman Mostafa Kamal, HSBC Bangladesh CEO Md Mahbub-Ur Rahman, FICCI President Naser Izaz Bijoy, Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) president Salima Ahmad, JBCCI president MYUNG-HO LEE, Regional Head, Bangladesh, and Pakistan Inditex Javier Carlos Santonja Olcina, BKMEA president AKM Salim Osman, Bengal Group chairman Morshed Alam, Leather goods and Footwear Manufacturers & Exporters Association of Bangladesh president Syed Nasim Manzur, Bangladesh Association of Banks Chairman Nazrul Islam Mazumder, Bashundhara Group chairman Ahmed Akbar Sobhan, International Chambers of Commerce Bangladesh president Mahbubur Rahman, DCCI President Barrister Md. Sameer Sattar, , Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Mahbubul Alam, FBCCI Senior vice president Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu among others, also spoke at the event.

During their speeches, all the business leaders expressed their trust and confidence in the leadership of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. They also said that for the economic development and progress of Bangladesh leadership of Sheikh Hasina is needed in the coming days.

The business leaders highlighted the development activities especially the mega projects of the Awami League government that has changed the socioeconomic status of Bangladesh unprecedentedly in last 14 and half years.

Mentioning their solidarity with the vision and leadership of Sheikh Hasina, the business leaders said, “There is no alternative to Sheikh Hasina in Bangladesh.”

The businessmen want the continuity of the government to uphold the progress and development of Bangladesh irrespective of all political thinking.

A theme song on FBCCI’s 50 years and its contribution to the country’s economy and development during this journey was played.  And an audio-visual on the outcome of Bangladesh Business Summit-2023 was also screened at the outset of the conference.

Sheikh Hasina also unveiled the report prepared compiling the outcome of Bangladesh Business Summit-2023.

She said that today’s Bangladesh is a changed one, and Bangladesh has to be pulled further, so you businessmen have to take this responsibility.

She pointed out that people’s financial condition will be better as education, trade and commerce are expanding.  The government has already provided all types of facilities to this end and the remaining barriers would be solved soon.

She further said, “At least, I can say that I didn’t create any “Khawa (eat) Bhaban (building)’like the ‘Hawa Bhaban” of BNP, which will create difficulties for businesses.”

The prime minister said, “We want that businessmen are marching ahead to build Smart Bangladesh by 2041. Awami League government will always extend cooperation to the businessmen.”

Referring to the materialization of “Digital Bangladesh”,  Sheikh Hasina said that they want to build Smart Bangladesh where each people of the country will become smart citizen, economy will be smart economy, government will be smart government and society will be smart society. “We want to pull Bangladesh ahead in this way”.

Regarding this, Sheikh Hasina said, “It is not enough to see mere a dream, but also to obtain the ability to realize the dream. And that kind of thinking should be there”.

Pointing towards the audience, prime minister said that not only the senior businessmen were here, but also young entrepreneurs were also present. We want to encourage the country’s youth-folk to be entrepreneurs rather chasing behind the job so that they can provide jobs.

The premier referred to the government’s “startup” campaign alongside providing special fund so that the youth can turn them into entrepreneurs. She also mentioned about the changing of company law so that any individual can move forward and open firm. We, Awami League government do not do business.

She said that her government has put maximum emphasis on improving the business environment for both FDI and local private investment. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is working to support the private sector and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority is working toward the establishment of 100 special economic zones by 2030. The government has taken several measures to facilitate and automate business.

She also said that in case of renewal of import-export license used in foreign trade, a five-year renewal facility has been introduced instead of existing one year. A similar initiative has been taken in case of issuing trade licenses and clearances from the Department of Environment.

She mentioned the country’s journey as “developing nation” from 2026, andsaid that many countries have already stepped back even after making announcement of implementation of developing nation but we didn’t step back. Bangladesh will never step back rather we will implement it.

She said that under the leadership of Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary –seven sub-committees have been formed to take time-bound action plans based on the thematic concept of tackling the challenge of LDC graduation. And the work of implementing these action plans is ongoing.

She added, “I am hopeful that business community will play a leading role in fulfilling their responsibilities in meeting this challenge. The industrial sector is always evolving and at present fourth industrial revolution is coming ahead there skilled manpower will be required. For the nano technology the government is formulating a law. It has been given approval from the cabinet and will be given approval from the Parliament.”

Prime minister said that to build up skilled manpower, we are providing computer training and setting up incubation center. From school level, we are providing computer lab to provide training to the school students.

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